Prahlad Kakar started his career in advertising in the early ’70 ‘s in ASP Delhi. He then moved on to gain experience in feature films with his mentor and leading filmmaker Shyam Benegal. After assisting him on renowned features like “Ankur”,“Nishant”, “Manthan” and“Bhumika” between 1974 to 1977, he moved on to become an independent film director in the field of Advertising . He is the Founder and Director of Genesis Film Production Pvt. Ltd., one of the leading production houses in India. Prahlad virtually invented a genre of television advertising in the years that followed. He has ruled the advertising world with his brand of irreverent humor, memorable brand building campaigns and has created Award winning commercials for the most reputed Corporates and agencies in India and the Asia Pacific region for over 4 decades. “To tell a story in 30 secs in the most engaging way possible” remains Prahlad;s raison dêtre for his continued passion for ad filmmaking. Known as the “Ad guru” he has been instrumental in changing the face of advertising in our country bringing in the appropriate “regional Indianness” and values into an urban context through his films, creative workshops, articles and interviews. He has helped create memorable campaigns for brands like Pepsi “Yehi heh right choice baby! Aha” Gold spot “The zing thing”, Maggie “2 minutes?” Britannia “ting ting ti ting”, Limca “Zor ka Jhatka” and Maggi Sauces “Its different!”. Some of his clients include: Pepsico (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Vietnam, New York), Levers (India), Nestle (India and Pakistan),Britannia Industries Limited, Nestle,United Breweries, Proctor and Gamble (India,Vietnam),Sony Entertainment Television, Mastercard,Visa International, Fab India, and more recently Pizza Hut, MOEF India with Mr Bachchan for Plastic Pollution, SUD Insurance.
Through the years, these Corporates have continued to communicate their brand stories with Prahlad making films that capture the dreams and aspirations of his target audience. Memorable campaigns which created history and to date remain in the hearts and minds of people who grew up watching these campaigns. Prahlad has won several awards for technical excellence, Innovation and creativity in
advertising over the years. Genesis won both Gold and Silver awards including “Campaign of the Year” for the Pepsicommercials at AAAI. His Public service films for Ceat, won awards in the New York Festival of Advertising. Commercials directed by Prahlad have also been nominated for Lions at Cannes.Within 20 years of his career Prahlad Kakar earned himself a Lifetime Achievement Award by the IAAFA early in his career in the year 1999 and has got Genesis the top Production House for 2 years in a row for years 2003 and 2004 by Brand Equity. Prahlads aesthetics and sensibilities have found shape and form in the hundreds of films done over a career that spans over 40yrs.. His impeccable story-telling, centered around the product, has always been the key to his success.
Prahlads passion for the Ocean initiated him to start Lacadives in the Lakshadweep Islands against all odds. It is the first Scuba Diving School established over 3 decades ago in Kadmat, Lakshadweep Islands in 1993, that really put these islands on the Global map for Tourists. Today Prahlad is an Hon consultant on their Tourism and Planning Board advising them on Sustainable Strategies for the future of the islands. Years later Lacadives has established its presence in the Andamans islands. Today he is expanding into the adventure and wellness space as he sees this as an ever growing opportunity across the globe. Not without a conscience, Prahlad Kakar is the co- founder of ReefWatch Marine Conservation, which aims at creating marinelife awareness for students and adults across the sub-continent. Education, research, community outreach programs for the fragile eco systems.His passion for cooking led him to run restaurants and a tealounge with his own brand of gourmet cooking. A staunch believer in living large, Prahlad Kakar has given shape to his myriad interests and effectively and converted many into profitableventures. His passion for food and people has proved instrumental in his association with a variety of restaurants, enabling him to introduce diverse tastes and styles of dining to the city of Mumbai. He is working on a book and biography to record his unique journey from an average student in a military school in the North of India, to a career in film making and Advertising , to being a Mentor and Guide to young millennials today.
Today the innovative corporate, Ad guru, Branding Strategist, Chief mentor, and Board member of many companies , is involved in providing innovative 360 degree solutions consulting with Companies and brand building various products, states and services. Creative workshops, Motivational and Leadership interactive sessions for students, middle management and top management executives in providing marketing solutions and focusing on the Companys growth story. Including, SMEs, government agencies and individuals to deal with current issues and future challenges. He founded PKSBE, a Branding and Ad Film Making School so that he could take his experiences and mentor young minds to follow their dreams.