Piyush Pandey's Family Defends Laughter at Funeral, Slam Societal Norms

On October 24, 2025, the advertising world lost a legendary figure as Piyush Pandey passed away. Many industry celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, attended his funeral to pay their respects. However, the event took an unexpected turn when videos of Piyush's sister Ila Arun and her daughter Ishitta Arun laughing and chatting at the funeral went viral, leading to them being trolled on social media.

Ishitta Arun responded to the criticism, explaining that grief has no single script. She stated that when saying goodbye to a man who laughed louder than anyone else, remembering him through laughter is not disrespect, but rather a continuation of his spirit. Ishitta emphasized that they don't stage grief or mute memories to make strangers comfortable, but instead remember Piyush honestly, as the laughter, courage, and life he embodied.

In a recent interview, Ishitta further elaborated on their family's bond with Piyush, describing him as the "life of the party" whose commentary they could still hear in their heads. She expressed that her aunts and mother dressed up and held themselves with dignity, which is not vanity but rather a testament to their health and the continuity of Piyush's legacy. Ishitta believes that the constant policing of how to grieve is a deeply ingrained societal mindset, and social media has simply made it more visible.