The world of cinema was shaken by the shocking news of popular art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai’s suicide on the early morning of August 2nd. He was found dead at his cherished ND Studio in Khalapur Raigarh, near Karjat.
Known for his exceptional artistic contributions, Desai had played a pivotal role in shaping numerous beloved projects, such as the iconic films ‘Devdas’ and ‘Lagaan’. The news of his sudden demise has sent shockwaves across the industry, with fans expressing their grief and condolences on Twitter.
Source: Free Press Journal
At the age of 58, the creative genius Nitin Chandrakant Desai, known for his impeccable, aesthetic art direction in cinematic masterpieces like ‘Devdas,’ ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,’ and ‘Jodha Akbar,’ among others, tragically bid farewell to the world.
According to a statement by Mahesh Baldi, a local MLA from Karjat and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the art director’s decision to take his own life was driven by a severe financial crisis. A glance at his filmography reveals that over the last five years, the four-time National Award winner had experienced a decline in work opportunities compared to his previous years, possibly adding to his professional and personal struggles.
Source: Curly Tales
The loss of such an esteemed artist has left the film industry and fans in a state of profound sorrow, reflecting upon the importance of addressing the challenges faced by creative minds in the realm of art and cinema. Throughout his illustrious 20-year career, Nitin Chandrakant Desai collaborated with esteemed directors such as Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, showcasing his exceptional artistic flair.
In 2002, he took a new step, venturing into film production under Chandrakant Productions, with the release of ‘Desh Devi,’ a devotional film dedicated to Devi Mata of Kutch. Three years later, he established the sprawling ND Studios, spanning 52 acres in Karjat, near Mumbai. This state-of-the-art facility has played host to iconic movies like ‘Jodha Akbar’ and ‘Traffic Signal,’ as well as the popular reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ aired on Colors TV.
Source: Inventiva
In his later years, Nitin’s artistic contributions remained prominent in significant ventures such as the grand-scale film ‘Panipat’ and, before that, ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.’ Despite his undeniable talent and numerous achievements, his filmography during the last period had seen a decline in substantial budget projects, which may have contributed to the challenges he faced both professionally and personally.
#RIP Nitin Desai passed on today. Celebrated Art Director and production designer, he started as a fourth assistant on the tv series Tamas in 1987 and went on to win 4 national awards. He opened his ND Studio at Karjat in 2005.
Lagaan, Parinda, Jodha Akbar, Devdas and many more. pic.twitter.com/fN0AO9rpq7
— Film History Pics (@FilmHistoryPic) August 2, 2023
Nitin Desai, a celebrated art director and production designer in Hindi and Marathi cinema, has left fans mourning his passing on Twitter. Admirers are remembering his exemplary work and expressing shock at the tragic ending.
