‘Lagaan’ Art Director Nitin Chandrakant Desai Dies By Suicide

Celebrated art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai has ended his life. He was 58 years old. Sources informed that the brilliant art director and production designer ended his life at his studio in Karjat. He was the owner of the ND Studios and that’s where this unfortunate incident occurred, in the wee hours of August 2 Nitin Desai’s body was found by workers at ND studios in Karjat.
He was the brain behind the sets of iconic Bollywood films like 1942: A Love Story, Devdas (2002), Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010) to name a few. He had also created the sets for the Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Winner of numerous National Awards for Best Art Direction, Nitin Desai took home the home the honor for his work on Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lagaan and Devdas.
In 2005, Nitin Desai established the famous ND studios at Karjat, which was spread over 52 acres. This studio has played host to numerous moves like Jodha Akbar and reality show Big Boss. Nitin Desai also tried his hand at acting and has been credited as an actor in Bollywood film ‘Daud’ and Marathi movie ‘Hello Jai Hind!’, which he also directed.
Early last month, Nitin Desai had performed a pooja at his studio, in anticipation of the upcoming festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. He was working on the pandal decoration for Mumbai’s iconic Ganpati mandal Lalbaugchya Raja. Nitin Desai was also busy with a new show on Maharana Pratap, which was being readied for an OTT platform.