Renowned film art director Nitin Desai was found hanging on Wednesday at his ND Studios in Maharashtra's Raigad district. His body was found hanging with a rope in the morning, claimed police. After being alerted, police rushed to the spot. Desai served as art director and production designer for a number of Bollywood and Marathi movies.
Celebs pay tribute
Film personalities, including Hema Malini, Manoj Bajpayee, Siddhartha Basu, and Neil Nitin Mukesh among others, condoled the demise of celebrated art director, remembering him as a "genius" and "a warm human being".
Hema Malini said Desai's death was a 'terrible loss' to the film industry. "Such a warm human being, associated with many of my projects and ballets. May he find peace wherever he is," she tweeted.
"Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Nitin Desai. A brilliant art director and a good friend, his contribution to Indian cinema has been monumental. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time," actor Sanjay Dutt tweeted.
Neil Nitin Mukesh said it is difficult to accept the heartbreaking news of Desai's death. "Our beloved #nitindesai has left for his heavenly abode. He was simply a genius. A visionary artist with grace, style who understood not just his craft but people. He was a positive soul who spread only love to all.
My God give his family strength. Om Shanti." he posted.
"My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. I had known him for years.. soft spoken, humble, ambitious and a visionary... you will be missed my friend. Om Shanti," Riteish Deshmukh tweeted.
Parineeti Chopra said, "His groundbreaking work, wisdom and artistry will be remembered forever. Rest in peace sir," she wrote.
Popular works of Nitin Desai
In his career spanning 20 years, Nitin Desai worked with several prominent filmmakers like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Let's take a look at some of his famous works, awards and more.
He made his debut as an art director in 1989 with Parinda and went to work on several other projects. Some his works include 1942: A Love Story (1993), Khamoshi: The Musical (1995), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Mission Kashmir (2000), Raju Chacha (2000), Devdas (2002), Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Jodha Akbar (2008), Dostana (2008), and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010), 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) and to name a few.
His last venture as an art director was Ashutosh Gowariker helmed Panipat, which released in 2019 and Paurashpur (2020), where he was credited as production designer. He also made his debut as a director in 2011 with Hello Jai Hind! He turned producer in 2008 with Raja Shivchatrapati and 2018’s Truckbhar Swapna.
ALSO READ: Nitin Desai, art director of Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar, dies by suicide at ND Studio
Awards won by Nitin Desai
Nitin Desai took home many awards for his work like -- 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Lagaan' and 'Devdas'. He received four National Awards. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (1999), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (2000), Lagaan (2002), and Devdas (2003). He has also received three Filmfare Awards for '1942: A Love Story', followed by 1997 for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 'Khamoshi,' and 'Devdas'.
He bagged the IFA Best Art Direction Award for 'Jodha Akbar' in 2009. This isn’t it. The art director also won the Maharashtra State award for 'Harishchandrachi Factory,' in 2009.
