Prahlad Kakkar is a legendary Indian ad film director, entrepreneur, and creative maverick best known as the founder of Genesis Film Productions (1977). He virtually invented a genre of television advertising in India, renowned for his irreverent humor, memorable brand-building campaigns, and iconic work, including the famous Pepsi TV commercial with Amitabh Bachchan and Sachin Tendulkar.
Kakkar's creative journey began with assisting the renowned feature director Shyam Benegal on acclaimed films like Ankur and Manthan. He established Genesis Film Productions in 1977, which won both gold and silver awards, including Campaign of the Year, and was consistently rated a top Production House. His success is based on his raison d’etre: “To tell a story in 30 secs in the most engaging way possible.” He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from IAAFA in 2000.
Beyond advertising, Kakkar is a serial entrepreneur and passionate advocate for the environment. He co-founded ReefWatch Marine Conservation and established Lacadives, a scuba-diving school, in 1995. He is also a successful restaurateur, having founded the exclusive wine bar and restaurant Casa Amore. In 2016, he launched the School of Branding and Entrepreneurship in Mumbai, committing to training the next generation of creative leaders. As a speaker, the “Enfant Terrible who never grew up” is widely sought after for his boisterous, candid, and outspoken personality. His keynotes, often laced with humor, draw on his philosophy of taking risks—whether diving with sharks or making wine in a bathtub—to inspire organizations to embrace innovation and creative problem-solving. He teaches that an irreverent attitude and memorable storytelling are key to successful brand building and professional success.
