MOVIES, FASHION & LIFESTYLE

Tragic News: Renowned Indian Art Director Nitin Chandrakant Desai Passes Away at 57

By: Priyal Joshi

Nitin Chandrakant Desai, a production designer for the Bollywood industry, was discovered dead in his studio in Karjat, Maharashtra, according to the police on Wednesday. At the age of 57, Desai committed suicide, according to authorities.

 He’s a four-time National Award winner for art direction also designed the sets for Kaun Banega Crorepati and Slumdog Millionaire. He worked on several well-known Bollywood films, including Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Jodha Akbar, Munnabhai M.B.B.S., and Lagaan. He was one of the most prominent art director in the industry. Maharashtra MLA Mahesh Baldi has confirmed Desai’s death. “He was under financial stress and this could be the only reason for suicide,” ANI quoted him as saying. “We have found the body of art director Nitin Desai hanging in his studio in Karjat. Police were informed about this by a worker on the set. When police team reached the studio we saw his body hanging. We are investigating the case further for ascertaining all the aspects in this case,” ANI quoted Raigad SP as saying. Apparently he was under financial stressor and huge debts. He had recently incurred huge losses. His debts are said to be almost 252 crore rupees His sudden demise has shocked the entire film fraternity. His last rites are to be performrd on Friday. Director Vivek Agnihotri wrote, “I am heartbroken and sad beyond control to learn about my dearest friend Nitin Desai’s death. A legendary Production designer, a visionary who made ND Studio… Nitin not only loved Pallavi and I, he always guided me even in films we didn’t do together. Why Nitin, why? ॐ शांति।”Akshay Kumar postponed OMG 2 trailer in his memory.  “Unbelievably sad to know about the demise of Nitin Desai. He was a stalwart in production design and such a big part of our cinema fraternity. He worked on so many of my films… this is a huge loss. Out of respect, we are not releasing the OMG 2 trailer today. Will launch it tomorrow at 11am. Om Shanti,”