MAM
Pankaj Poddar elevated as group CEO at Cosmo Films
Mumbai: Cosmo Films has elevated Pankaj Poddar as group CEO to head its newly launched consumer business Zigly, alongside trade verticals including films, labelling and packaging, specialty chemicals, ferrites, masterbatches, and textile chemicals. The development came into effect immediately and in recognition of the growth the company witnessed under Poddar’s leadership as CEO of the business.
With a career spanning over 26 years, Poddar has held key leadership positions in the company across business units and verticals. As the chief financial officer at Cosmo Films in 2011, he was responsible for managing the financial operations in India as well as overseas. Since his appointment as CEO in the year 2013, all verticals of Cosmo have witnessed year-on-year growth.
“Poddar’s contribution is immense for the success of Cosmo as is visible in the last few years. R&D, sales and marketing competencies, expanded product range, and focus on specialty films have led to the achievement of record EBITDA and an all-time high market capitalisation,” said Cosmo Films chairman and managing director Ashok Jaipuria. “All of these will make a significant addition to all the parameters of the company – top line, bottom line, and market valuations. He is a great asset to Cosmo with his focus, drive, and implementation bringing in benefits to the company and its stakeholders.”
Poddar started his career with a seven-year stint at Ernst and Young before joining Reckitt Benckiser, Delphi Automotive, and Avon Beauty in senior financial positions. He is a regular speaker at packaging industry forums and sits on the board of Organisation of Plastic Processors of India, Plast India, and IFCA.
“At this point of time, Cosmo Films is at the pivotal state of its growth with diversification into different sectors,” remarked Poddar. “Being a global leader in the films and packaging sector, we aim to be the preferred brand for specialty chemicals, ferrites, polymers, and pet care.”
MAM
Raghu Rai passes away at 83, leaves behind iconic legacy
Padma Shri-winning photographer documented history across 5 decades.
MUMBAI: The lens may have stilled, but the stories it captured will never fade. Raghu Rai, one of India’s most celebrated photojournalists, passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of 83. He breathed his last at a private hospital in New Delhi after battling cancer and age-related health issues.
His son, Nitin Rai, revealed that Rai had been diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, which later spread to the stomach and, more recently, the brain. Despite multiple rounds of treatment, his health had declined in recent months.
Born in 1942 in Jhang, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Rai entered photography in his early twenties, inspired by his elder brother, photographer S. Paul. Beginning his career in the mid-1960s, he went on to build a body of work that spanned more than five decades, contributing to global publications such as Time, Life, GEO, Le Figaro, The New York Times, Vogue, GQ and Marie Claire.
His global recognition took a decisive leap in 1977 when legendary French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson nominated him to join Magnum Photos, placing him among the world’s most respected visual storytellers.
Rai’s lens chronicled both power and poignancy. He photographed towering figures such as Indira Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Bal Thackeray, Satyajit Ray and Mother Teresa, while also documenting defining moments like the Bhopal gas tragedy later captured in his book Exposure: A Corporate Crime.
Over the years, he published more than 18 books, building an archive that blended journalism with artistry. His contributions were recognised early when he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972 for his coverage of the Bangladesh War and refugee crisis. In 1992, he was named “Photographer of the Year” in the United States for his work in National Geographic, and in 2009, he was honoured with the Officier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
Rai is survived by his wife Gurmeet, son Nitin, and daughters Lagan, Avani and Purvai. His last rites will be held at Lodhi Cremation Ground in New Delhi at 4 pm on Sunday.
With his passing, Indian photojournalism loses not just a pioneer, but a patient observer of history, one frame at a time.
