While media circles, specifically advertising, were mourning the passing of erstwhile vice chairman of Lintas Fali Vakeel on March 16, 2024, not many may have recalled that he had a book dedicated to him a decade-and-a-half ago: the James Bond volume Devil May Care, by British novelist Sebastian Faulks. Writing about her interview with Vakeel in The Times of India on June 9, 2008, journalist Nina Martyris stated: "Commissioned to write the new caper in the centenary year of Ian Fleming, the man who created the suave English spy, Faulks dedicated Devil May Care to two people: to Fleming himself and to ‘Fali Vakeel, who, when he and I were schoolboys, first introduced me to Bond.’’’
Fali Vakeel
Advertising giant Lintas, in a post on LinkedIn announcing Vakeel’s passing, wrote: "Advertisement loses its color...Your wit and wisdom will forever resonate in our hearts. Your legacy at Lintas will never be forgotten.” News reports described the 71-year-old’s death as a loss to the advertising world. "Under the leadership of Vakeel, Lintas witnessed remarkable growth, achieving milestones such as acquiring prestigious clients and earning esteemed accolades,” stated newsapblive.com. "His impact extended beyond the board room… He was admired for his mentoring and nurturing of talent within the industry, shaping the careers of many aspiring industry professionals,” stated The Economic Times of March 16. Reports noted that he was called ‘Last of the Mad Men in Indian advertising’ by his colleagues and that "his contributions to the industry were significant.” S. Subramanyeswar, group chief executive officer, Lintas, India said, "Once in a rare while, someone like Fali comes along to not only raise the bar in their field of operation, but they create an entirely new standard of measurement, creativity in our case.”
Before Lowe Lintas, Vakeel worked at JWT in London and at McCann. Brought up in Bombay, the veteran majored in English and psychology but switched to accountancy. Eventually, he recognized his calling in advertising. Stepping down from a formal role within the company in 2016, he remained a trustee on Lintas’ employee welfare trust.
Adman, founder and managing director of marketing company Creatigies, Delhi-based Navroze Dhondy, told Parsiana on March 18: "The unbridled laugh and smile was Fali’s hallmark... I’m sure he’s regaling his chums up there with his wicked sense of humor.” Dhondy met Vakeel on the former’s first day in the Bombay office in the late 1980s. "When he saw me walk past his cabin, he put his hand up, while reclining in typical Fali style and said ‘Welcome to Bombay… Come in’… He made me comfortable, got me a cuppa, and was just very curious about my North Indian history... He thought I was a Delhiwala, till I burst that bubble by telling him that I was from Allahabad.” The senior professional roared, "What? From Uttar Pradesh? You’re a bloody Bhaiya,” with that naughty twinkle in his eye, narrated Dhondy. "Though we never worked together, there was a strange bond and fondness, and that came to the fore when we all met at Express Towers in 2019 for one last time... He was a man who loved cracking a joke and listening to one.” Dhondy posted his reminiscences on Facebook the day after he spoke to us.