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Adman Madman: Unapologetically Prahlad
In 1971, clutching a princely sum of three hundred rupees in his pocket, Prahlad Kakar arrived in Bombay Central station. During his early days of dire struggle, he slept on benches in train stations and on the sofas of reluctant friends. Scratching the underbelly of Colaba Causeway, he learnt many
life lessons for his survival and eventual climb to notoriety.
Four decades later, he swears by Murphy's law, 'Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.' Murphy is certainly not a figment of anyone's imagination, but a gargoyle plucked from VT station, who is sitting crouched on your shoulder and waiting for an opportunity to pee into your ear. Come and share some uproarious laughs with the Indian ad industry's feared and beloved leprechaun as he takes you on this rollercoaster ride. From the bizarre to the brazen, prepare yourself for one hell of a journey.
Why does Prahlad have the right to lay claim to Shabana Azmi's second toe?
Why did Satish Shah pretend to be a chauffeur during a shoot?
Can a parachute-landing fall save you from a dating disaster?
How did a pig drive a member of the film crew straight to the shrink?
Meet Dumbell the Doberman. And Head of Outstanding Collections.
In this no-holds-barred memoir, Prahlad serves up scoops of his most unforgettable experiences, peppered with viciously funny anecdotes from his personal life and seasoned with lessons on how to tell a riveting story in thirty seconds.
Learn secrets of the trade to create memorable brands. Travel behind the scenes of celebrated advertisements that launched the careers of models who then went on to become famous Bollywood actors. Hear about the genesis of this accidental serial entrepreneur. And, above all, learn how to live life with complete abandon from none other than the enfant terrible of the advertising industry. As the man who wears many hats, literally and figuratively, Prahlad tips his hat to life's incidental wisdom with raucous laughter.
From those who have a love for advertising to those who have a zest for life, from the young to the old, this memoir will capture your heart and your mind, and tickle your funny bone.
Statutory This book may cause you to fall off your chair!
life lessons for his survival and eventual climb to notoriety.
Four decades later, he swears by Murphy's law, 'Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.' Murphy is certainly not a figment of anyone's imagination, but a gargoyle plucked from VT station, who is sitting crouched on your shoulder and waiting for an opportunity to pee into your ear. Come and share some uproarious laughs with the Indian ad industry's feared and beloved leprechaun as he takes you on this rollercoaster ride. From the bizarre to the brazen, prepare yourself for one hell of a journey.
Why does Prahlad have the right to lay claim to Shabana Azmi's second toe?
Why did Satish Shah pretend to be a chauffeur during a shoot?
Can a parachute-landing fall save you from a dating disaster?
How did a pig drive a member of the film crew straight to the shrink?
Meet Dumbell the Doberman. And Head of Outstanding Collections.
In this no-holds-barred memoir, Prahlad serves up scoops of his most unforgettable experiences, peppered with viciously funny anecdotes from his personal life and seasoned with lessons on how to tell a riveting story in thirty seconds.
Learn secrets of the trade to create memorable brands. Travel behind the scenes of celebrated advertisements that launched the careers of models who then went on to become famous Bollywood actors. Hear about the genesis of this accidental serial entrepreneur. And, above all, learn how to live life with complete abandon from none other than the enfant terrible of the advertising industry. As the man who wears many hats, literally and figuratively, Prahlad tips his hat to life's incidental wisdom with raucous laughter.
From those who have a love for advertising to those who have a zest for life, from the young to the old, this memoir will capture your heart and your mind, and tickle your funny bone.
Statutory This book may cause you to fall off your chair!
682 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2023
11 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 20, 2024
So this was unplanned but 2024 started with a memoir and what a start, I must say.
This book is meant for those who like the world of advertising that is full of imagination.
At the same time, if you want to read some funny and unforgettable experiences of great advertisements just go for it. In advertisements, the story has to be told in the least amount of time, words etc and this read will take you through the construction of those stories with some personal life lessons including Murphy's Law.
Please keep your smartphone handy as you may want to see the add on youtube after reading the chapters.
This book is meant for those who like the world of advertising that is full of imagination.
At the same time, if you want to read some funny and unforgettable experiences of great advertisements just go for it. In advertisements, the story has to be told in the least amount of time, words etc and this read will take you through the construction of those stories with some personal life lessons including Murphy's Law.
Please keep your smartphone handy as you may want to see the add on youtube after reading the chapters.
December 31, 2023
A subpar book from a legend if I must say! Could have ended the year with a better book! But hey, lucky that I still enjoyed reading! Another year, few more books!
May 6, 2025
This brought back memories of Bombay as PK recounted his ads, shoots, Papa Pancho, Marine Drive, Tardeo and the Fort Area. An unexpected yet refreshing reminder of that city.
It also brought on nostalgia for 1980s and ’90s Indian TV ads, which was fun to search down on YouTube as I was reading.
Mr. Kakkar also shares the backstories to the big campaigns and the personalities from the agencies / clients who were involved. Again, spent time in the rabbit hole googling some of them - like Anuja Chauhan from Pepsi, Chien Wien Lee his core team photographer (couldn’t find much), Adi Pocha (who stills maintains a blogspot blog) and Bal Mundkur (Ulka). And many other fascinating characters.
The section on his early days was entertaining and surprisingly setting the stage of what shaped him. Especially his reflections on learning early to manage fear and preparing for the worst. As Murphy was always around the corner.
It also brought on nostalgia for 1980s and ’90s Indian TV ads, which was fun to search down on YouTube as I was reading.
Mr. Kakkar also shares the backstories to the big campaigns and the personalities from the agencies / clients who were involved. Again, spent time in the rabbit hole googling some of them - like Anuja Chauhan from Pepsi, Chien Wien Lee his core team photographer (couldn’t find much), Adi Pocha (who stills maintains a blogspot blog) and Bal Mundkur (Ulka). And many other fascinating characters.
The section on his early days was entertaining and surprisingly setting the stage of what shaped him. Especially his reflections on learning early to manage fear and preparing for the worst. As Murphy was always around the corner.
April 11, 2024
"Adman Madman": A Memoir of Prahlad Kakar
• Narrates Kakar's journey from a young, adventurous soul to a pioneer in the Indian advertising industry.
• Highlights his early years in Dehradun, where he found solace in the outdoors and learned valuable life lessons.
• Provides insights into his formative years, including his boarding school in Delhi and studies in English literature in Baroda and Poona.
• Highlights his journey to Bombay, where he found inspiration and mentorship under filmmaker Shyam Benegal.
• Explores Kakar's groundbreaking work on ad films for Anacin, his collaborations with industry luminaries, and his entrepreneurial ventures.
• Filled with humor, wit, and wisdom, "Adman Madman" offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the advertising world and the indomitable spirit of one of its most iconic figures.
• Narrates Kakar's journey from a young, adventurous soul to a pioneer in the Indian advertising industry.
• Highlights his early years in Dehradun, where he found solace in the outdoors and learned valuable life lessons.
• Provides insights into his formative years, including his boarding school in Delhi and studies in English literature in Baroda and Poona.
• Highlights his journey to Bombay, where he found inspiration and mentorship under filmmaker Shyam Benegal.
• Explores Kakar's groundbreaking work on ad films for Anacin, his collaborations with industry luminaries, and his entrepreneurial ventures.
• Filled with humor, wit, and wisdom, "Adman Madman" offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the advertising world and the indomitable spirit of one of its most iconic figures.
September 28, 2025
A life full of Murphy's Laws and a life full of freedom. Prahlad Kakar is one role model who is a godfather to so many and yet laughs at the spoilers he receives. From a humble background to a star, his rise is nothing short of a choice.
From humiliation to humility, from grit to tenacity, from resilience to resourcefulness, from not caring to being that emotional backbone, from that subtle kiddish nature to the flamboyant effervescence, a genius sprawls who's a go-getter, focused and tasteful, all his years.
Yehi hai right choice, baby! A-ha!
From humiliation to humility, from grit to tenacity, from resilience to resourcefulness, from not caring to being that emotional backbone, from that subtle kiddish nature to the flamboyant effervescence, a genius sprawls who's a go-getter, focused and tasteful, all his years.
Yehi hai right choice, baby! A-ha!
April 7, 2024
Since I have a great fascination for memoirs I loved this one too. I would recommend the book for all media students. There are plenty of lessons for the newbies.
The anecdotes and Murph’s Law are absolutely fascinating to read.
The anecdotes and Murph’s Law are absolutely fascinating to read.
November 30, 2023
A brezzy read about a man who lived life at his own terms. A bit genius and fairly mad and maverick. The book has interesting stories especially if you know him or his circle or his work.
August 27, 2024
A wonderful book on wonderful years of Prahlad Kakkar's life.
January 10, 2025
This guy had a crazy life and even crazier stories; i could see it all play out infront of my eyes, witty, charming and funny
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews