Adman Madman (Unapologetically Prahlad)

In 1971, armed with just three hundred rupees, Prahlad Kakar arrived at Bombay Central station to begin a journey that would transform him into one of India’s most distinctive advertising voices. His early days were marked by struggle and improvisation, sleeping on railway benches and the sofas of reluctant friends, absorbing hard-won life lessons along the way.

Four decades later, he swears by Murphy’s Law: anything that can go wrong will go wrong. For Prahlad, Murphy is no abstract idea but a mischievous gargoyle perched on your shoulder, waiting for the perfect moment to cause chaos. In this uproarious memoir, the Indian advertising industry’s most irreverent storyteller takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the bizarre, the brazen and the unforgettable.

Why does he claim ownership of Shabana Azmi’s second toe? Why did Satish Shah pose as a chauffeur on a shoot? Can a parachute landing fall rescue a disastrous date? And how did a pig send a crew member straight to therapy? Along the way, you will meet Dumbell the Doberman and a character known as the Head of Outstanding Collections.

With no holds barred, Prahlad recounts his most memorable experiences, blending sharp humor with lessons in storytelling and brand-building. He shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of celebrated ad campaigns, reveals how some models launched into Bollywood stardom, and reflects on his evolution into an accidental serial entrepreneur.

From advertising enthusiasts to anyone with a zest for life, this memoir offers laughter, insight and unapologetic candor. Consider yourself warned: it may just make you fall off your chair.