Prasoon Joshi

Prasoon Joshi PS
Joshi in 2014
Born	(1971-09-16) 16 September 1971 (age 52) Almora, Uttarakhand, India
Occupation(s)	Poet, writer, communication specialist
Years active	1992–present
Title	Chairperson of the Censor Board of India
Awards	Filmfare Best Lyricist Award (2007, 2008, and 2014) National Film Award for Best Lyrics (2007 and 2013) Cannes Lions Gold (2003)[1] IFAA (2007, 2010 and 2014)[2][3][4]
Honours	Padma Shri (2015) Doctorate D.Litt. from Kumaun University (2018)[5] Doctorate D.Phil. from Amity University (2017)[6] Hakim Khan Sur Award for value for the cause of national integration (2016)[7] Maharaja Sayajirao Bhasha Samman for Hindi (2015)[8] Distinguished Alumni from IMT Ghaziabad[9]
Chairman of Central Board of Film Certification
Incumbent
Assumed office 12 August 2017
Preceded by	Pahlaj Nihalani

Prasoon Joshi (born 16 September 1971) is an Indian poet, writer, lyricist, screenwriter, communication specialist and marketer.^[10] He is the CEO of McCann World group India and Chairman APAC (Asia Pacific), a subsidiary of the global marketing firm McCann Erickson. He was appointed as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification on 11 August 2017.

Prasoon has received the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award three times, in 2007 and 2008 and again in 2014 for the Hindi movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. He has also received the National Film Award for Best Lyrics twice, for his work in Taare Zameen Par (2007), and Chittagong (2013).^[11] He was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2015, for his contributions towards the field of Arts, Literature and Advertising.^[12] He is one of the trustees of IGNCA, a member of Nehru Memorial Museum & Library Society Panel and is among the select 120 members of the National Committee for Commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.^[13][14][15]

Early life and education

Prasoon Joshi spent his earliest years in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh). His father, D.K. Joshi, was the Additional Director of the state's Education Service. These early years all across the northern India – and spending time in places like Almora, Nainital (where his extended family and relatives still live), Tehri, Chamoli Gopeshwar, and later Rampur, Meerut and Delhi^[16][17] – gave Prasoon a remarkable feel for the real Indian pulse that he is now celebrated for in his screenplays, dialogues, lyrics, and advertising. His mother, Sushma Joshi, a lecturer in political science, performed for the All India Radio for over three decades.^[18] His parents are qualified classical vocalists and daily home life for the young Prasoon was marked with academic discipline, a rich vein of the artistic life and a strong sense of music and culture.^[19]

He started writing early in life and published his first book at age 17, Main Aur Woh, a 'conversation with himself'.^[18] Two more books Dard So Raha Hai and Samadhan followed establishing him as an author.

His book, Sunshine Lanes, a collection of his songs, was launched at the Jaipur Literature Festival in January 2013. Prasoon's latest book ‘Thinking Aloud’ a collection of essays on emerging India was published in 2016.^[20]

Prasoon did his BSc and post graduation in Physics, then elected to pursue an MBA from Institute Of Management Technology, Ghaziabad.^[21] During his MBA education he decided to fuse his love for culture and art and his faculty for the commercial dynamic and make his career in advertising.^[22]

Advertising

Prasoon started his career with Ogilvy & Mather in Delhi. In just 10 years, he was appointed the Executive Creative Director of the Mumbai office. In early 2002, he joined McCann-Erickson as Executive Vice-President and National Creative Director. By 2006, he was the Regional Creative Director for South and South East Asia. In December 2006 he was promoted to Executive Chairman for McCann Worldgroup India and Regional Creative Director for Asia Pacific.^[23]

Joshi is known for creating brand-building work for multinational brands including Nestle, Coca cola, Microsoft, Mastercard, L’Oréal, Intel X Box, Reckitt Benckiser, Unilever, Perfetti, J&J, as well as Indian Brands like Britannia, Saffola, Dabur, ITC foods, TVS motors, Reliance, Reliance Jio, Paytm, RadioMirchi, and media brands like  NDTV India (Sach dikhate hain hum), Times Now, CNBC, CNN IBN, and the Cannes-winning Thanda matlab Coca-Cola campaign with Aamir Khan.^[24] 

His Happydent television commercial was listed by Bob Garfield of AdvertisingAge as one of his personal choices for the Cannes Gold in 2007,^[25] and it was chosen by a Gunn Report poll as one of the 20 best ads of the 21st century.^[26][27]

His works were utilized for various social campaigns in India: Swacch Bharat,^[28] education, polio eradication, malnutrition, women empowerment,^[29] child rights,^[30] against student suicide, and UN millennium goals.^[31] His contribution was acknowledged for the 2014,^[32] and subsequently 2019 elections.^[33][34]

Film career

Javed Akhtar, Prasoon Joshi and Gulzar

Prasoon made his debut as a film lyricist with Rajkumar Santoshi's Lajja, a critical and commercial success, and this soon led to Yash Chopra's Hum Tum and a string of highly successful Bollywood films like Fanaa, Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, Black and Delhi 6. With Rang De Basanti (2006), he also became a dialogue writer.^[35]

He won the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for "Chand Sifarish" from the film Fanaa in 2007 and for "Maa" from Taare Zameen Par in 2008. He has won the prestigious National Award twice. The first for his work in Taare Zameen Par and the second one in 2013 for Chittagong.

He has also written the script for the award-winning 2014 film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

As a CBFC chairman he has maintained the fine balance between the filmmakers and societal sensitivities, instituted dialogue discussion instead of controversy and has played a big role in digitising CBFC functionality.^[36]

Global and national recognition

In 2008, he was invited as the Cannes Jury chairman and in 2009, he was named among the exclusive 10-member Cannes Titanium and Integrated Jury at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.^[37] In 2006, he was chosen a 'Young Global Leader 2006' by the Forum of Young Global Leaders, an affiliate of the World Economic Forum,^[38] In 2007, he was asked to be a judge of the nationally popular reality singing competition Dhoom Macha De on NDTV Imagine.^[39] Joshi was part of the select three-member Core Creative Advisory Committee for the Commonwealth Games 2010 opening and closing ceremonies, with Shyam Benegal and Javed Akhtar.^[40]

Social theme work

• Tata Jagriti Anthem^[41]
• Dettol Swachh Bharat^[42]
• Poshan Anthem^[43]

Filmography

• Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
• Vishwaroop II (2018)
• Neerja (2016)
• Margarita With A Straw (2015)
• Satyagraha (2013)
• Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
• Ishkq in Paris (2012)
• Teri Meri Kahaani (2012)
• Aarakshan (2011)
• Break Ke Baad (2010)
• Sikandar (2009)
• London Dreams (2009)
• Delhi 6 (2009)
• Ghajini (2008)
• Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (2008)
• Taare Zameen Par (2007)
• Fanaa (2006)
• Rang De Basanti (2006)
• Black (2005)
• Rok Sako To Rok Lo (2004)
• Phir Milenge (2004)
• Hum Tum (2004)
• Aankhen (2002)
• Kyon? (2003)
• Love at Times Square (2003)
• Lajja (2001)
• Bhopal Express (1999)

When Prasoon watched the film Sikander, he was inspired by it and wrote a song called "Dhoop ke sikke". Later, this song was incorporated in the film.^[44]

Private albums

He has been the lyricist for several Indipop albums which have been hits:

• Mann Ke Manjeere, an album on women's dreams for human rights organisation Breakthrough, sung by Shubha Mudgal (2000)
• Ab Ke Saawan for Shubha Mudgal (1999)
• Dooba Dooba Rehta Hoon for Silk Route

Short films on malnutrition

Prasoon Joshi and Aamir Khan have decided to prepare 50 short films on malnutrition after being invited by the prime minister of India. According to Mr. Joshi, Aamir and himself got along well because they do not compromise their work.^[45]

Awards

He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2015.^[46]

Year	Nominated work	Award	Category	Result
2003	Thanda Matlab Coca-Cola campaign	Cannes Lion Award	International Advertising Festival	Won
2005	Hum Tum	Screen Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song "'Hum Tum'")	Won
2007	Rang De Basanti	Media magazine	No. 1 Creative Director in Asia Pacific	Won
		Zee Cine Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song " "Masti Ki Pathshala")	Won
		Global Indian Film Awards	Best Lyricist	Won
		Filmfare Awards	Best Dialogue	Nominated
			Best Lyricist (for the song "Roobaroo")	Nominated
	Fanaa		Best Lyricist (for the song "Chand Sifarish")	Won
		International Indian Film Academy Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song "Chand Sifarish")	Won
		Bollywood Movie Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song "Chand Sifarish")	Won
2008	Taare Zameen Par	National Film Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song "Maa")	Won
		Filmfare Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song "Maa")	Won
		Zee Cine Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song " "Maa")	Won
		Producers Guild Film Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song " "Maa")	Won
		Screen Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song " "Maa")	Won
2009	—	NDTV Indian of the Year	Special Award for Lyrics	Won
	Ghajini	Filmfare Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song "Guzarish")	Nominated
2010	Delhi-6		Best Lyricist (for the song "Masakali")	Nominated
			Best Lyricist (for the song "Rehna Tu")	Nominated
		2nd Mirchi Music Awards[47]	Album of The Year	Won
			Lyricist of The Year (for the song "Masakali")	Won
2010	Break Ke Baad	3rd Mirchi Music Awards	Album of The Year	Nominated[48]
2011	Aarakshan	4th Mirchi Music Awards	Upcoming Music Composer of The Year (for the song "Saans Albeli")	Nominated[49]
2012	Chittagong	National Film Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song "Bolo Naa")	Won
2014	Bhaag Milkha Bhaag	Filmfare Awards	Best Lyricist (for the song "Zinda")	Won
		International Indian Film Academy Awards	Best Screenplay	Won
			Best Story	Won
			Best Dialogue	Won
		Producers Guild Film Awards	Best Screenplay	Won
			Best Story	Won
		Mirchi Music Awards	Lyricist of The Year (for the song "Maston Ka Jhund")	Won[50]
2015	—	Government of India	Padma Shri (for contribution in Arts)	Honorary
2021	Film personality	52nd International Film Festival of India	Indian Film Personality of the Year	Honoured[51]

Personal life

Prasoon's wife Aparna works in the field of preserving and promoting Indian classical and folk music and is the co-founder of the India Music Summit. They have been married for over a decade and have a daughter named Aishaanya.^[52][53]

References

1. Joshi, Rahul. "India wins 2 Golds and 2 Silvers at Cannes ad fest so far". The Economic Times.
2. "IIFA Awards 2014: 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' wins 9 awards". Firstpost. 28 April 2014.
3. "Prasoon Joshi Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Prasoon Joshi | Times of India Entertainment". The Times of India.
4. "'Rang De Basanti' sweeps IIFA awards". DNA India. 10 June 2007.
5. "Prasoon Joshi conferred with D.Lit in Nainital". The Pioneer. 29 November 2018.
6. "Prasoon Joshi gets Honorary Doctorate from Amity University". www.bestmediaifo.com. 18 February 2017.
7. "MMCF announces names of personalities to be awarded". udaipurtimes.com. 26 February 2016.
8. "Prasoon Joshi gets award". @businessline.
9. "IMT Ghaziabads alumnus Prasoon Joshi conferred the Special Lifetime IMT-Community Award at Annual Convocation 2015 by his Alma Mater".
10. Venkatesh, M. R. (4 February 2019). "How polarised responses miss nuanced precariousness of art and life". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
11. Prasoon Joshi for Kamal Haasan's Viswaroopam 2 – Times Of India
12. "Humbled, motivated: Prasoon Joshi on winning Padma Shri". 26 January 2015.
13. "Prasoon Joshi, Chandra Prakash Dwivedi in Trust of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts". 17 December 2019.
14. "Rajat Sharma, Prasoon in NMML society, Congmen out". 17 December 2019.
15. "Kovind to preside over PM-headed panel on Gandhi 150th birth anniversary". 17 December 2019.
16. Meet Prasoon Joshi, India's ad guru by Shyamal Majumdar. Rediff.com, 19 October 2005.
17. Prasoon Joshi Interview Archived 21 February 2010 at archive.today creativeuttarakhand (Myor Pahad).
18. Breakfast With Prasoon Joshi, The Economic Times, 3 May 2008.
19. "prasoon-joshi-bollywood-mann-ke-manjeere". Economictimes.com. The Economic Times. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
20. "Thinking Aloud by Prasoon Joshi – Review". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
21. "Prasoon Joshi: 10 things to know about the new CBFC chief". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
22. Balakrishnan, Ravi. "How Prasoon Joshi is juggling between two demanding careers; advertising and films". The Economic Times. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
23. McCann top deck gets a new look The Economic Times, 16 December 2006.
24. "Maggi got back: Prasoon Joshi likely to create comeback campaign - ET BrandEquity". The Economic Times. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
25. Will there be Happy sent smiles at Cannes? by Pritha Mitra Dasgupta. DNAindia.com, 16 June 2007.
26. Dasgupta, Pritha Mitra (3 December 2015). "Prasoon Joshi's Happydent commercial among 20 best ads of 21st century". Economic Times. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
27. Sinha, Suveen (2 December 2015). "Happydent Palace ad is among 20 best this century". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
28. "Prasoon Joshi pens song on Swacch Bharat Abhiyan". The Indian Express. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
29. Vijayakar, R. M. VIJAYAKAR. "Prasoon Joshi Pens Emotional Poem for Femina's Initiative #ActAgainstAbuse". India West. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
30. "Prasoon Joshi shames the patriarchal society, honours girl child in his hard-hitting verse". The Indian Express. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
31. Ayaz, Shaikh (18 October 2006). "dna". DNA India. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
32. Sharma, Samidha (2014). "Piyush Pandey, Prasoon Joshi and Sam Balsara to helm BJP's Rs 400 crore poll drive | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
33. Prasoon Joshi. Rising Indian Business Line, The Hindu, 8 February 2007.
34. Singh, Suhani. "'People Are Brands'". India Today. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
35. Adman Prasoon Joshi has now turned dialogue-writer! The Times of India, 12 December 2005.
36. "Prasoon Joshi: CBFC has to balance cinematic sensibilities and social sensitivities". 17 December 2019.
37. "Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity - Lions +". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011. Prasoon Joshi on Cannes Titanium jury The Economic Times, 27 February 2009.
38. Prasoon Joshi chosen Young Global Leader Rediff.com, 13 January 2006.
39. NDTV ropes in Shankar Mahadevan and Prasoon Joshi Archived 13 July 2012 at archive.today Wednesday, 28 November 2007.
40. "'CWG closing and opening galas on track'". Hindustan Times. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
41. "Around India in 18 days".
42. "Indian Ocean jams with Dettol for 'Banega Swachh India'".
43. "Vice President launches 'Bharatiya Poshan Anthem'". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 3 December 2019.
44. Subhash K. Jha 17 March 2009 Prasoon Joshi gets inspired after watching Sikandar, pens down a poetry Bollywood Hungama, accessed on 10 April 2012
45. IANS 7 May 2012 Aamir, Prasoon Joshi to make 50 short films on malnutrition (Accessed on 26 May 2012)
46. "Padma Awards 2015". Press Information Bureau. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
47. "Mirchi Music Award 2009". www.radiomirchi.com. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
48. "Nominees – Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2010". 30 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
49. "Nominations – Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011". 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
50. Parande, Shweta (28 February 2014). "Mirchi Music Awards 2014 winners: Shahrukh Khan, Farhan Akhtar honoured; Aashiqui 2 wins 7 trophies". India.com. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
51. "Hema Malini, Prasoon Joshi to be honoured with 'Indian Film Personality of the Year' award at IFFI". India TV News. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
52. "I find women more mature than men: Prasoon Joshi - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
53. "Bollywood's new bard on infusing poetry into lyrics". The Week.

External links

• A poem by Prasoon on Ayodhya
• A poem by Prasoon: The girl is talking to her father
• Prasoon Joshi Exposes Indian Ad Industry

• Prasoon Joshi at IMDb