'We don't stage grief': Ishitta Arun hits back at trolls for laughing at Piyush Pandey’s funeral

Actor and content creator Ishitta Arun, daughter of veteran actress Ila Arun, has come under heavy criticism after a video surfaced showing her smiling and laughing at her uncle Piyush Pandey’s funeral.

The clip, widely shared on social media, drew backlash from users who called her behaviour inappropriate for such a somber occasion.

Remembering Piyush through laughter

Responding to the criticism, Ishitta took to Instagram Stories on Sunday to share her side of the story. She explained that the moment captured in the video was about celebrating Piyush’s spirit, not disrespecting it.“Grief isn't a single script. And when you're saying goodbye to a man who laughed louder than anyone else, remembering him through laughter isn't disrespect.

It's continuity. It's muscle memory. It's knowing who he really was,” she wrote, alongside a picture of her late uncle.

She further addressed the trolls, adding, “What you saw was us laughing at his line — a line only he could deliver. If you had known him, even in passing, you wouldn’t have needed this explained. We don't stage grief. We don't mute memory to make strangers comfortable. We remember him honestly — as laughter, courage, and life itself.

Next time — know the story before you comment on the moment.”

Fond memories of her uncle

Earlier this week, Ishitta shared heartfelt memories of her maternal uncle, Piyush, on Instagram. She recalled how he moved to Mumbai from Calcutta, staying with her parents for his first five years in the city.

“We lived in a small two-bedroom flat in Santacruz (East), and as an only child, I suddenly had my first and only roommate. I was ecstatic. I'd wait all day for him to return from OBM, singing at the top of my lungs, like a malfunctioning radio with confidence but no tuning.

One day, he lost his patience and said, 'Main tumhe ulta pankhe se latka doonga.' For me, it was Tuesday. For him, a breakdown," she wrote.

Piyush Pandey’s legacy

Piyush Pandey, the creative visionary credited with giving Indian advertising its distinct voice and soul, passed away on Friday at the age of 70. Loved and remembered for his wit, creativity, and larger-than-life personality, he leaves behind a legacy celebrated by both family and industry peers.