“Calcutta, if you must exile me, send me to the river’s edge where the ferries come and go.” — Pritish Nandy, from his celebrated poem
Pritish Nandy, a celebrated poet, journalist, filmmaker, and former Rajya Sabha member, passed away on January 8, 2025, at the age of 73. He succumbed to cardiac arrest at his South Mumbai residence, marking the end of an era in Indian literature, media, and cinema.
Few individuals have left such indelible marks across multiple creative domains. From authoring over 40 poetry collections to revolutionizing Indian journalism, from producing critically acclaimed films to championing animal rights — Nandy’s life was a testament to the power of creative courage and intellectual fearlessness. His passing has elicited tributes from across the literary, journalistic, and cinematic worlds.
📖 Early Life & Literary Journey
Born on January 15, 1951, in Bhagalpur, Bihar, Pritish Nandy carved a distinctive niche in India’s literary landscape. He emerged as one of the most prolific English-language poets of his generation, authoring over 40 poetry collections that explored themes of urban alienation, human emotions, cultural identity, and the complexities of modern Indian life.
His most celebrated poem, “Calcutta If You Must Exile Me”, captures the essence of Kolkata’s multifaceted identity — its chaos, beauty, and soul. The poem remains a cornerstone of modern Indian poetry in English and is frequently studied in literary courses.
Beyond original composition, Nandy made significant contributions as a translator, bridging linguistic and cultural gaps by rendering influential works from Bengali, Urdu, and Punjabi into English. This work made regional literary treasures accessible to a wider audience and demonstrated his commitment to India’s multilingual heritage.
Think of Pritish Nandy as a Renaissance man of modern India — someone who didn’t just excel in one field but mastered poetry, transformed journalism, produced hit films, and still found time for political service and animal rights activism. His poem about Calcutta is like a love letter to a complicated city.
✍️ Trailblazing Career in Journalism
Pritish Nandy was a formidable force in Indian journalism. His editorial positions included:
- Publishing Director of The Times of India Group
- Editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India
- Editor of The Independent
- Editor of Filmfare magazine
His fearless and unconventional approach redefined Indian journalism in the 1980s. Under his leadership, The Illustrated Weekly of India became a platform for thought-provoking journalism, introducing bold narratives and challenging societal norms at a time when such editorial courage was rare.
He transformed the magazine from a conventional publication into a vibrant forum for intellectual discourse, featuring controversial topics, emerging voices, and fresh perspectives that set new industry benchmarks.
Nandy’s journalism was defined by intellectual fearlessness. In an era before social media democratized opinion, magazine editors wielded enormous influence over public discourse. His willingness to publish controversial viewpoints and challenge establishment narratives helped shape a generation of readers and journalists.
Key Exam Fact: Pritish Nandy was the Publishing Director of The Times of India Group and edited The Illustrated Weekly of India, The Independent, and Filmfare. He revolutionized editorial content in the 1980s.
🎬 Filmmaking & Media Ventures
In 1993, Pritish Nandy ventured into filmmaking by establishing Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC), a media house that became synonymous with innovation in Indian cinema. PNC broke away from conventional Bollywood storytelling, introducing fresh narratives and compelling performances.
| Film | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Sur | 2002 | Musical drama exploring classical music traditions |
| Kaante | 2002 | Multi-starrer heist thriller; stylish filmmaking |
| Jhankaar Beats | 2003 | Cult classic; tribute to R.D. Burman’s music |
| Chameli | 2003 | Critically acclaimed; Kareena Kapoor’s breakthrough role |
| Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi | 2005 | Political drama set during Emergency; cult classic |
| Pyaar Ke Side Effects | 2006 | Urban romantic comedy; commercial success |
Beyond cinema, PNC pioneered television and digital content. The company produced “Four More Shots Please!”, a groundbreaking web series about four urban women navigating life, love, and friendship. The show earned an International Emmy nomination in 2020 — a significant milestone in Indian content’s global recognition.
Don’t confuse: PNC (Pritish Nandy Communications) was founded in 1993, NOT in the 2000s. Also, “Four More Shots Please!” received an International Emmy NOMINATION in 2020 — it did not win the award. These details are often tested.
🏛️ Political & Social Contributions
Pritish Nandy’s influence extended beyond creative fields into the political arena. He served as a Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra, representing the Shiv Sena party.
During his parliamentary tenure, he championed:
- Progressive policies on cultural and social issues
- Intellectual discourse in parliamentary debates
- Media freedom and creative expression
- Animal welfare legislation and awareness
His political career, though not his primary identity, demonstrated his belief that creative individuals should engage with public policy and governance rather than remain confined to their artistic domains.
🐾 Animal Rights Activism
A lesser-known but equally significant aspect of Nandy’s life was his commitment to animal welfare. He was a staunch advocate for animal rights and founded People for Animals (PFA) — one of India’s first and largest animal rights organizations.
Key contributions to animal welfare:
- Founded People for Animals, India’s pioneering animal rights NGO
- Advocated for stricter animal protection laws
- Raised public awareness about animal cruelty
- Supported rescue and rehabilitation efforts for abandoned animals
- Used his media platforms to highlight animal welfare issues
His relentless activism helped shape awareness and policies around animal welfare in India, making him a respected figure in the animal rights community.
People for Animals (PFA) is now one of India’s largest animal welfare organizations with chapters across the country. While Maneka Gandhi is more commonly associated with PFA today, Pritish Nandy was instrumental in its founding and early development.
🌟 Legacy & Tributes
Nandy’s passing has elicited heartfelt tributes from across literary, journalistic, and cinematic circles:
Actor Anupam Kher described him as a “brave and unique editor/journalist” who played a crucial role in shaping Indian media. His contributions across multiple fields have cemented his legacy as a cultural icon.
His lasting legacy includes:
- Literary: Over 40 poetry collections that capture modern Indian urban experience
- Journalistic: Transformation of Indian magazine journalism in the 1980s
- Cinematic: PNC’s pioneering role in producing unconventional, critically acclaimed content
- Digital: Early recognition of streaming content’s potential (International Emmy nomination)
- Social: Animal rights advocacy through People for Animals
Nandy’s career raises interesting questions about the relationship between creativity and public life. Should artists engage in politics? How do creative individuals balance commercial success with artistic integrity? His life demonstrates that intellectual curiosity need not be confined to one domain — a model of the public intellectual engaged across multiple spheres.
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Pritish Nandy was born on January 15, 1951, in Bhagalpur, Bihar. He passed away on January 8, 2025, just 7 days before his 74th birthday.
Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) was founded in 1993. The company went on to produce acclaimed films and the Emmy-nominated web series “Four More Shots Please!”
“Calcutta If You Must Exile Me” is Pritish Nandy’s most celebrated poem, capturing Kolkata’s multifaceted identity and remaining a cornerstone of modern Indian poetry.
“Four More Shots Please!” produced by PNC received an International Emmy nomination in 2020, marking a significant milestone in Indian content’s global recognition.
Pritish Nandy served as a Rajya Sabha member representing Maharashtra from the Shiv Sena party, where he championed progressive policies and cultural issues.
