Prahlad Kakar (born 24 March 1950 in Mumbai) is a leading Indian ad film director, best known for his work on the famous Pepsi TV commercial with Amitabh Bachchan and Sachin Tendulkar. He is the founder and main director for Genesis Film Productions, one of India`s leading production houses, established in 1977. He is renowned for his candid and outspoken nature. An avid scuba diver, in 1995 he set up 'Lacadives', a scuba-diving school, along with his wife Mitali Kakar at Kadmat Island, in collaboration with the Govt. of Lakshadweep. He also runs a coffee shop, and Casa Amore, a wine bar and restaurant, set up in Mumbai in 2001.
`Prahlad Kakar grew up in Mumbai and his father was an army colonel based in Pakistan. His mother is half Burmese and half Marathi. He also did his initial schooling from St. Joseph's Academy, Dehradun. In 1966, he passed out from Sainik School, Kunjpura, Karnal, and 1970, he graduated with Economics (Honors) from Fergusson College, Pune.
Prahlad Kakar joined advertising in 1971, as an Accounts Executive at ASP (Delhi) and after a year, he was transferred to the company's Bombay office. In 1972, he joined the renowned feature director, Shyam Benegal, as an Asst. Director for films such as `Ankur`, `Manthan`, and `'Bhumika`. In 1999, he was one of the few Indian Directors to direct international commercials for clients like Uni Levers and Pepsico in Burma, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Asia Pacific Region. He also started the specialty Tea House in Bombay, the first of its kind in the country. In 2000 he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from IAAFA for his contribution to Advertising and Film Art.
We at Think Inc. Had the privilege of listening to the Ad Guru on 22nd November 2013, at an event organised by Think Media. The link below is an excerpt from that event, `Think and Act Beyond the Box,` please view the video to get inspired by him.