Bollywood art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai was found dead in his studio in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, police said on August 2. According to police Desai’s body was found hanging in his ND studio in Karjat, some 80 km outside Mumbai.
“Police were informed by a worker on the set. When the police team reached the studio we saw his body hanging. We are investigating the case further to ascertain all the aspects in this case,” Raigad Superintendent of Police (SP) Somnath Gharge said.
Maharashtra MLA Mahesh Baldi said that ‘Lagaan’ art director was under financial strain. “He was under financial stress and this could be the reason for suicide,” Baldi said.
#WATCH | Maharashtra MLA Mahesh Baldi confirms the death of 'Lagaan' art director Nitin Desai, says, "He was under financial stress and this could be the only reason for suicide."
"We have found the body of art director Nitin Desai hanging in his studio in Karjat. Police were… pic.twitter.com/RIl0vjgOc5
— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2023
Veteran actress and member of parliament expressed her condolences over the demise of Desai. Expressing shock over his death, she said took to twitter and said, “Shocking news this morning – Art Director Nitin Desai is no more. Such a warm human being, associated with many of my projects and ballets, his passing is a terrible loss to the film industry.”
Shocking news this morning – Art Director Nitin Desai is no more. Such a warm human being, associated with many of my projects and ballets, his passing is a terrible loss to the film industry. May he find peace wherever he is🙏 pic.twitter.com/STNsz6Kwr8
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) August 2, 2023
Desai was noted for his innovative studio design and had collaborated with filmmakers such as Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
He was famed for his work in movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (2000), Lagaan (2002), and Devdas (2003), Jodhaa Akbar (2008) and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015).
He had won three Filmfare Awards for Best Art Direction and four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction.
(With inputs from ANI)
