Prasoon Joshi is one of the most influential writers, poets, lyricists, and advertising professionals in India. His deep understanding of Indian culture, emotions, and social issues makes him a powerful voice in Bollywood, advertising, and literature. As the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the CEO of McCann Worldgroup India, he has left a significant mark in multiple fields. This article explores his life, achievements, and contributions in a simple and SEO-friendly way.
Early Life and Education
Prasoon Joshi was born on 16 September 1971 in Almora, Uttar Pradesh (now in Uttarakhand). His father, D.K. Joshi, was a senior education officer, and his mother, Sushma Joshi, was a political science lecturer and a classical singer. Growing up in places like Nainital, Tehri, Chamoli, Meerut, and Delhi, he developed a deep understanding of India’s diverse culture.
From an early age, he was passionate about writing and poetry. At just 17 years old, he published his first book, Main Aur Woh, which was a conversation with himself. This was followed by two more books, Dard So Raha Hai and Samadhan, which established him as a young poet.
Prasoon pursued his BSc and MSc in Physics but later decided to follow his passion for creativity. He completed an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad, where he combined his love for art with business. This decision led him to the world of advertising and media.
Prasoon Joshi’s Career in Advertising
Prasoon Joshi began his career with Ogilvy & Mather, one of the world’s leading advertising agencies. In just 10 years, he became the Executive Creative Director at their Mumbai office. Later, in 2002, he joined McCann Erickson as Executive Vice-President and National Creative Director.
His success in advertising made him a well-known name in the industry. Some of his most famous advertising campaigns include:
- Thanda Matlab Coca-Cola (with Aamir Khan)
- Happydent White’s ‘Brightest Smile’ campaign (Won global awards)
- Saffola’s ‘Kal Se’ health campaign
- Paytm’s ‘India’s Cashless Revolution’ campaign
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign
His work in advertising also includes successful branding campaigns for Nestle, Britannia, TVS Motors, L’Oréal, Dabur, Reliance Jio, and Mastercard.
In 2007, his Happydent ad was named one of the 20 best ads of the 21st century in a global poll.
Prasoon Joshi as a Bollywood Lyricist
Prasoon made his Bollywood debut as a lyricist with the film Lajja (2001). His powerful lyrics soon gained recognition, leading to iconic songs in movies like:
- Fanaa (2006) – “Chand Sifarish”
- Rang De Basanti (2006) – “Luka Chuppi”
- Taare Zameen Par (2007) – “Maa”
- Delhi 6 (2009) – “Masakali”
- Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) – “Zinda”
His song “Maa” from Taare Zameen Par won him a National Award for Best Lyrics. He won multiple Filmfare Awards for songs in Fanaa, Taare Zameen Par, and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
Prasoon also wrote dialogues for Rang De Basanti (2006), showing his storytelling talent beyond lyrics.
Prasoon Joshi’s Work in Films
Apart from being a lyricist, Prasoon has also contributed to screenwriting and scriptwriting. He wrote the script for:
- Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) – The biopic of Indian athlete Milkha Singh
- Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019) – Based on the life of Rani Lakshmibai
His storytelling skills bring out patriotism, emotions, and deep social messages.
Prasoon Joshi as Chairman of CBFC
In 2017, Prasoon Joshi was appointed Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), replacing Pahlaj Nihalani. As CBFC Chairman, he has:
- Balanced artistic freedom and social responsibility
- Encouraged discussions instead of unnecessary controversies
- Helped digitize CBFC’s working system for efficiency
He has played a key role in ensuring that Indian cinema respects cultural values while promoting creative freedom.
National and International Recognition
Prasoon Joshi’s contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards:
Film Awards:
- Filmfare Best Lyricist Award – 3 times (2007, 2008, 2014)
- National Film Award for Best Lyrics – 2 times (2007, 2013)
Advertising & Business Awards:
- Cannes Lions Gold Award (2003) – One of the highest honors in advertising
- IFAA Awards (2007, 2010, 2014) – International recognition for creativity
Government Honors:
- Padma Shri (2015) – India’s fourth-highest civilian award
- D.Litt. (Doctorate) from Kumaun University (2018)
- D.Phil. (Doctorate) from Amity University (2017)
Other Recognitions:
- Hakim Khan Sur Award (2016) – For national integration
- Maharaja Sayajirao Bhasha Samman (2015) – For contributions to Hindi literature
In 2008, he was the jury chairman at Cannes, a rare honor for an Indian.
Social Contributions
Prasoon Joshi is deeply involved in social initiatives. His campaigns have focused on:
- Polio eradication (Government of India campaigns)
- Education for girls
- Prevention of student suicides
- Women empowerment (Mann ke Manjeere campaign)
- Malnutrition awareness (Short films with Aamir Khan)
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Dettol Clean India campaign)
His creative work has played a big role in spreading awareness about important social issues.
Books by Prasoon Joshi
Prasoon Joshi is also a respected author. His books include:
- Main Aur Woh – His first book at age 17
- Dard So Raha Hai – A poetry collection
- Samadhan – Exploring emotions through poetry
- Sunshine Lanes – A collection of his film lyrics
- Thinking Aloud (2016) – Essays on emerging India
His books show his deep understanding of life, emotions, and society.
Prasoon Joshi is a multi-talented genius who has made remarkable contributions to Bollywood, advertising, literature, and social causes. His work is deeply connected to Indian culture, emotions, and values.
With inspiring lyrics, powerful storytelling, and creative advertising campaigns, he continues to influence millions of Indians. Whether through songs, advertisements, or films, his words touch the hearts of people across generations.
For those who love meaningful creativity, Prasoon Joshi is truly a legend.
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