Usha Bhandarkar Biography: Age, Wiki, Family, and More

Usha Bhandarkar is widely recognized as a legendary figure in the Indian advertising industry. She is the creative mind behind some of the most iconic television commercials that have shaped Indian consumer culture. For decades, her work has influenced how brands communicate with the public, making her a household name in the media world. Today, she is remembered not just for her clever ad campaigns but also for her role as a mentor to many of India’s current marketing leaders.

Who is Usha Bhandarkar?

Usha Bhandarkar is a veteran advertising professional who spent the majority of her career at Lowe Lintas (formerly Lintas India). She rose to the position of Creative Director and was one of the first women to reach the top level of the industry. She is best known for creating the “Lalitaji” character for Surf Excel in 1984.

This campaign featured a savvy, independent woman who prioritized quality and value, a departure from the typical “submissive housewife” roles seen in ads at the time. Her influence was so significant that the web series Thinkistan featured a lead character, Anushka, based on Usha’s life and professional journey.

Usha Bhandarkar Age – How Old is She?

As of 2026, Usha Bhandarkar is considered a senior veteran of the Indian media landscape. While her exact birth date is not widely publicized in the media, she has been a leading professional since the early 1980s. Given that she was already a prominent Creative Director by 1984, she has over four decades of experience in the industry. She remains active in social and educational circles, continuing to share her expertise through mentorship and advisory roles.

Usha Bhandarkar Biography / Wiki

Early Life and Background

Usha Bhandarkar was born into a family with a rich cultural and social background. Her parents were Lachu Shivdasani and Maya Shivdasani. Her mother, Maya, was born in Hyderabad, Sindh (now in Pakistan) in 1919 and was known for her immense style and participation in Mumbai’s social circles. Usha has been an active contributor to the Indian Memory Project, where she has preserved her family’s history through old photographs and stories. She grew up in an environment that valued education, sophistication, and community service, which later influenced her creative and professional choices.

Usha Bhandarkar Education

Usha Bhandarkar is a highly educated professional who furthered her skills in global hubs. While her early schooling took place in India, she spent significant time in London and New York to study the nuances of international advertising. She is a member of the Women Graduates Union (WGU), an organization dedicated to the empowerment of women through education. Her passion for learning led her to become a principal architect of the Lintas College of Communication, where she served on the faculty and conducted workshops for the Asia-Pacific region.

Usha Bhandarkar Career Journey

Usha’s career is a roadmap of Indian advertising history. She worked at India’s top three agencies: JWT, Ogilvy, and Lintas. Throughout her journey, she handled a vast spectrum of brands, ranging from soaps and chocolates to life insurance and electronics. Her portfolio includes work for global giants like Unilever, Cadbury, Johnson & Johnson, and Philips.

She was a member of the Executive Committee of Lintas India and played a key role in transitionining traditional advertising into the modern, digital age. After retiring from full-time agency work, she shifted her focus toward training the next generation of creative professionals, ensuring that the art of storytelling in advertising continues to thrive.

Usha Bhandarkar Family

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