9X Media MD Pradeep Guha passes away

The former president of The Times of India Group succumbed to Stage-4 liver cancer.

Pradeep Guha, managing director of 9X Media and former president of The Times of India Group has passed away. According to reports, he was critically ill and was put on a ventilator on Friday morning. He was admitted to the Kokilaben Ambani Hospital in Mumbai after being diagnosed with Stage-4 liver cancer three weeks ago.

The industry took to Twitter to offer condolences on the media veteran's demise.

Condolences to Pradeep Guha's family and colleagues... he was a veteran of the media industry. Always filled with larger-than-life ideas and a track record of executing them effortlessly. His colleagues at @IAA_India will miss his presence.

— Anant Goenka (@anantgoenka) August 21, 2021

Very sad to hear the shocking news of our dear friend Pradeep Guha. A true legend, he was the original trendsetter, and a stalwart of the media & entertainment industry. An inspiration to many people like me, he was a genuine friend. Will miss you PG, RIP till we meet again! 💔 pic.twitter.com/zonMboJwdJ

— Raj Nayak (@rajcheerfull) August 21, 2021

Good bye my friend #Pradeep Guha
I will always be indebted for your genuine love n support to I needed n we all ⁦@Whistling_Woods⁩ international 4 your enriched guidance as a director on board since its birth.
U were the makers of many in our industry👍
RIP MY FRIEND🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/Io33oh5gM3

— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) August 21, 2021

Deeply deeply devastated to learn that Pradeep Guha has just passed away. A brilliant marketing man and a superb strategist. And always a fine human being. He added enormous value to the @timesofindia : rest in peace and Om Shanti.

— SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) August 21, 2021

Guha worked for Times Group for about three decades and was one of the key architects behind the rise of BCCL from the late 80s onwards. Guha's pioneering contribution in shaping the legendary Times Response team transformed the dynamics of the media & entertainment industry in the country.

In his years at the Times Group, the media veteran pioneered and took to global scale, some of the most iconic events such as Filmfare Awards and Femina Miss India - a mega pageant that has given the Indian film industry some of its biggest leading women filmstars. Guha later went on to lead Zee Telefilms as its CEO and also produced critically acclaimed films such as Fiza, Mission Kashmir and Phir Kabhi.

He is survived by his wife Papia and son Sanket.