B-Town Mourns For Film Producer Pradeep Guha

Bollywood film producer and media mogul Pradeep Guha died at a hospital in Mumbai on Saturday. Guha had produced Hrithik Roshan and Karisma Kapoor-starrer “Fiza”  and the 2008 film “Phir Kabhi”. It is reported that Guha, who was 68, was battling cancer.

Pradeep Guha breathed his last at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. His wife Papia Guha and son Sanket Guha shared the news of his demise in a statement issued to the media. 
“We regret to announce the sad demise of our dear Mr Pradeep Guha. In these COVID times, the family has requested to be allowed to grieve in private and will share a date for a prayer meeting in a few days. No condolence visit at home due to COVID restrictions. Please keep him in your prayers,” the statement read.

Soon after his death news was out, actors such as Manoj Bajpayee, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Subhash Ghai, Lara Dutta, and Adnan Sami took to social media to pay condolences. “Deeply shocked and saddened to hear about my friend @guhapradeep’s passing away !! May you rest in peace Pradeep,” Manoj Bajpayee wrote on Twitter.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who first met Guha during her time at the Miss India pageant in 2000, said his death was a personal loss for her. She said she admired the media veteran’s zest for life. “You were always my forever champion. Your random calls of encouragement, your zest for life and your ambition was something I have always admired so much. This loss is so personal. I will miss your voice and strength so much”.

Lara Dutta, the winner of the Miss Universe crown the same year, said Guha was the most successful “Queen maker”. “My dearest PG @guhapradeep you were always the KING who was the most successful ‘Queen maker”. May we, your prot always keep your memory alive and shining bright and may you always watch over us as you have always done. #RIP,” she wrote.

Actor and Miss Asia Pacific 2000 Dia Mirza recalled a conversation she had with Guha while leaving for the international beauty pageant that filled her with “strength”. “I will never forget that car ride as you dropped me off to the airport as i left the country to represent India at the Miss Asia Pacific. ”What if i lose?” I had asked you and you said, ”It will be their loss. You are a winner.”

“Those words were everything. They gave the 18-year-old me so much strength. And over the years you stood by me. Through good times and bad. Always offering your wisdom,” she posted on Instagram.

Who was Pradeep Guha?

Guha has over four decades of experience in the fields of media, advertising, marketing, and branding. He worked with the Times Group for nearly three decades and served as the president of the company. He was also on its board of directors.

He later joined Zee Entertainment as CEO for three years. He was also the vice president and area director of the International Advertising Association, Asia Pacific region. Guha, at the time of his death, was serving at the position of managing director at 9X Media Private Limited.