Some people hold positions, others become institutions: A P Parigi remembers Leena Jaisani

Leena Jaisani, Deputy Secretary General and Head of Media and Entertainment at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), passed away on Sunday evening

by e4m Staff
Published: Apr 27, 2026 1:02 PM | 3 min read

A P Parigi, Co-Founder of Radio Mirchi, paid tribute to Leena Jaisani, highlighting her professionalism, unwavering strength, and immeasurable contributions to the Media & Entertainment sector.
Jaisani, who served as Deputy Secretary General and Head of Media and Entertainment at FICCI, passed away from cardiac arrest after several days of hospitalization.
With over 30 years at FICCI, she was instrumental in policy advocacy, creating platforms for dialogue, and initiatives such as FICCI Frames, which connected industry professionals.
Jaisani was respected for her role in securing industry status for Indian cinema and simplifying film production processes, leaving a lasting impact on the media and entertainment policy framework in India.

A P Parigi, Co-Founder of Radio Mirchi and Former Group CEO of Network18, has paid tributes to Leena Jaisani, remembering her as someone whose professionalism was inspiring, whose quiet strength was unwavering, and whose contributions were immeasurable.

In a LinkedIn post, Parigi wrote, “The legendary Yash Chopra once said, one Leena can make all the difference to any organisation and its future. He was right.

“To many of us, she was the industry. Her legacy lives on in the countless careers she shaped, the partnerships she enabled, and the dreams she helped realise through her tireless commitment.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ms. Leena Jaisani, a stalwart of the Media & Entertainment sector. As Deputy Secretary General & Head of Media & Entertainment at FICCI, she left an indelible mark on the industry. I had the privilege of knowing her for over 25 years. Her professionalism was inspiring, her strength was quiet yet unwavering, and her contributions are impossible to measure,” he wrote.

“Leena was, in many ways, FICCI FRAMES. She helped shape policies, build platforms, and create opportunities for industry leaders and emerging talent alike. Through her relentless dedication, FRAMES became a global platform connecting professionals, brands, and enterprises.

No challenge was too big, no schedule too demanding, no crisis too complex. She handled everything with grace and a smile. Some people hold positions. Others become institutions. Leena was one of them. She will be deeply missed. May her soul rest in peace,” the post read further.

Leena Jaisani, Deputy Secretary General and Head of Media and Entertainment at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), passed away on Sunday evening after suffering a cardiac arrest. She had been undergoing treatment in hospital for several days and was on ventilator support prior to her death.

Jaisani spent over 30 years at FICCI, where she worked extensively on policy advocacy and helped create platforms for dialogue between industry stakeholders. She was closely associated with initiatives such as FICCI Frames, a major event for the media and entertainment sector.

She also played a role in efforts to secure industry status for Indian cinema and supported the establishment of the Film Facilitation Office, aimed at simplifying film production processes. She also contributed to building connections with global industry platforms, including MIPCOM and the Rome Film Festival.

Within FICCI, her responsibilities also covered areas such as intellectual property, retail, FMCG and digital commerce.

Jaisani was widely respected in industry circles for her long-standing contribution to the development of India’s media and entertainment policy framework.