Popular Bollywood Art Director Nitin Desai Dies By Suicide

The film industry mourns the loss of the immensely talented art director and producer Nitin Chandrakant Desai. According to police sources, Desai hanged himself at his ND studio in Karjat, Maharashtra on Wednesday morning. Khalapur cops are investigating the matter, more details are awaited.

Popular and critically acclaimed, the art director and producer was best known for his work in iconic Bollywood movies like Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar, Devdas, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and many more. Nitin was a frequent collaborator of esteemed director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and has created grand sets for Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani. He also worked with filmmakers like Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Ashutosh Gowariker.  

Other films to the credit of the late art director include Munnabhai MBBS, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, Dostana, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Mission Kashmir, and Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, among many others.

Nitin Desai’s work in Lagaan, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, earned him widespread acclaim and accolades. Desai’s work was widely celebrated in the industry, he won the National Film Award for Best Art Direction four times for Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Lagaan, Devdas, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam; and the Filmfare Best Art Direction Award three times for Devdas, Khamoshi, 1942: A Love Story.