'Boxer' Das: Piyush and Prasoon Pandey, Shashi Sinha, Meenakshi Menon, Ashish Bhasin remember Bhaskar Das

"Bhaskar would always look at not the easy solution, but look at the unique solutions whenever it came to any problem."

By  Storyboard18Jan 15, 2025 7:21 PM
'Boxer' Das: Piyush and Prasoon Pandey, Shashi Sinha, Meenakshi Menon, Ashish Bhasin remember Bhaskar Das
Bhaskar Das’s personal style was as distinctive as his professional one. Known for his bold fashion choices and self-deprecating humor, he often described himself as a “recycled teenager,” a moniker that spoke to his youthful energy and refusal to conform to conventional corporate norms. His leadership style, too, was unconventional.

Bhaskar Das, one of the most influential and transformative figures in India’s media industry, has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer. A visionary leader, Das played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL), the parent company of the Times of India, where he spent the majority of his distinguished career. As President of Response, he was instrumental in revolutionizing the company’s approach to advertising, revenue generation, and market strategy.

Das’s death was announced by his wife, Shomshuklla Das, in a heartfelt message that read, "Rest in peace... Bhaskar Das... you had an Amazing life." Colleagues and peers remember him not just for his business acumen, but for his infectious energy and entrepreneurial spirit, which defined his four-decade-long career.

Affectionately known as “BD” among his colleagues, Das was responsible for launching Mumbai Mirror in 2005 — a strategic move to protect BCCL's market dominance in the face of growing competition from publications like Hindustan Times and DNA. The paper’s launch was a masterstroke that helped solidify BCCL’s position, even as rival media houses expanded. Despite his central role in its creation, Das often humbly referred to himself as an "incidental steward" of the paper, reflecting his characteristic modesty.

Das’s personal style was as distinctive as his professional one. Known for his bold fashion choices and self-deprecating humor, he often described himself as a “recycled teenager,” a moniker that spoke to his youthful energy and refusal to conform to conventional corporate norms. His leadership style, too, was unconventional.

One of Das's latest projects was supporting an initiative called GenSxty, started by media industry veteran Meenakshi Menon.

Menon said, "He is going to be deeply missed. He has been an amazing influence on so many lives. He had the ability to turn the lens on the untraveled path. Bhaskar would always look at not the easy solution, but look at the unique solutions whenever it came to any problem. He was also involved with my ventures. His death is a great loss and I am going to miss him dearly."

Menon added, "Though Bhaskar is no longer between us, his ideas will live on. He was an amazing friend, professional, husband, father, and he did justice to every role, with elegance and style."

"Bhaskar's passing away is a huge loss to the communication industry - media, advertising, content and everything put together," said legendary ad leader Piyush Pandey. "Bhaskar was a game changer and 'a gentleman with brains'," he added. "I had the opportunity of being in the same group that represented India in many forums in Asia Pacific and Cannes. He was also a friend who I will miss very dearly. RIP 'Boxer' Das."

Media veteran Shashi Sinha said, "Bhaskarda was a fab person full of energy and ideas. He was responsible for getting me on the Ad Club Mancom which started my journey with industry bodies. One of the most positive people I have met. He always thought of finding a solution even when he was on top of the game at TOI."

Filmmaker Prasoon Pandey shared his thoughts on Das. "I have known him for 35 years, and he had such an endearing personality. I cannot fathom that he is no more, because in my mind, he is still there. It is strange that somebody should have a personality where he's universally loved."

Pandey added, "Whenever anybody met Bhaskar, he had a smile which was also accompanied with a joke. It looked like he was not working. He was perpetually in party mode through his work and we had so much fun. He would forget that I am not 'Proshun', but 'Prasoon'. So, he would always break into Bengali, knowing that I did not understand it."

"Basically, he was a happy man."

Ashish Bhasin said, "Bhaskar was one of the finest gentlemen in the media and advertising space, and his career spanned several decades, touching many generations of advertising and media professionals. He had an amazing ability to connect with everyone—young and old, junior or senior—and form brilliant relationships with them."

"My friendship with Bhaskar goes back several decades, to the time when he was not yet very senior at Times of India. He had a unique ability to be both intellectually advanced and, when needed, jocular and friendly."

Bhasin added, "I don’t think there will be people like Bhaskar Das anymore in our industry. It seems that most of the gentlemen from that era are passing away, which is a great loss for our industry."

As the industry mourns his loss, Das’s influence on the media world remains undeniable, a legacy of creativity, leadership, and unrelenting drive.

First Published on Jan 15, 2025 11:58 AM

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