Prahlad Kakkar Biography

India can proudly boast of a talented ad icon, which's not only known for his creativity but also for his unique ideas. Well we are talking about none other than India's adman Prahlad Kakkar. He is popularly known for his Pepsi commercial with Amitabh Bachchan and ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. He is also the founder of Genesis Film Productions, which he founded in 1977. His father was an army colonel in pre-independence period and his mother was part of Marathi and part Burmese heritage. He was a student of the St Joseph's Academy, Dehradun and finished his schooling from Sainik School Kunjpura (Karnal). He gained his graduation in Economics (Honors) from Pune's Fergusson College.

Prahlad Kakkar is a man who wears many hats. Apart from the owner of a production house, he is also a scuba diving enthusiast. He established a scuba diving school in 1995 called 'Lacadives' in the islands of 'Lakshadweep' with the collaboration of the local government. Alongside, he also owns a coffee shop and a wine bar and restaurant named Casa Amore.

He began his career in advertising in the year 1971 where he worked in the designation of Accounts Executive at the ASP in Delhi. In the year 1972, he worked as an assistant director with popular director Shyam Benegal for films like 'Ankur', and 'Bhumika'. After gaining substantial experience under several directors, he finally founded his very own Genesis Film Productions in 1977. He also opened a restaurant at the Prithvi Theatre with the famous Jennifer Kendal. He is also the founder of a marine conservation organization named Reef Watch Marine Conservation, founded in 1994.

In the year 1999, he was amongst the very few Indian directors who directed commercial for companies like Uni Levers for several countries. In 2000, he was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award by the IAAFA for his prized contributions in the field of Advertising and Film Art. He also works as a Principal Director for his wife Mitali Dutt Kakkar's production house Offspring and Offshoot. Apart from the creative field, he is also involved in designing restaurants. He designed a restaurant named 'Tea Centre', which sees to revive the tea culture in India. In addition, he is also known for his Punjabi restaurant 'Sarson da Saaga', opened in the year 2002, which serves home- style cooked Punjabi food.

Prahlad Kakkar who is married to Mitali Dutt Kakkar, has three sons, Arnav, Anhjin and Varun. Prahlad is a dyslexic, but that has not deterred him from enjoying his life to the fullest. He may be in his sixties, but is young at heart and retains various interests such as reading, scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, horse riding as well as squash. In the year 2000, he became a scuba diving instructor.