From Dharmendra to Piyush Pandey: India's Cultural Icons Lost in 2025

• India experienced profound losses in 2025 across film, media, advertising, music, and digital culture, bidding farewell to individuals who shaped generations.
• Bollywood legends Dharmendra, Manoj Kumar, Satish Shah, and Asrani, known for their iconic roles and contributions, passed away, leaving lasting legacies in cinema.
• Advertising maestro Piyush Pandey, who revolutionized Indian brand storytelling, and media strategist Bhaskar Das, instrumental in transforming the Times Group, were also lost.
• The music and digital world mourned Shefali Jariwala, an early internet sensation, and travel creator Anunay Sood, who inspired a new generation of storytellers.
• Acclaimed musician Zubeen Garg, a multilingual powerhouse, passed away, remembered for his significant contributions to Assamese, Hindi, and Bengali music.

Why It Matters: 2025 marked a year of significant loss for India, as cultural icons across various fields left indelible marks.