Indian art director and production designer Nitin Chandrakant Desai, known for his work in Bollywood films including and died on Wednesday, according to local media reports. He was 58.
Desai was reportedly found dead at his studio in the Raigad district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Police suspected that he died by suicide.
As soon as the news broke, tributes came pouring from all corners of Bollywood, from filmmakers to actors and actresses.
Desai was a well-respected figure in the industry, working his way up through the years.
He kicked off his career as an assistant art director with the Indian television film in 1987-88 and later worked in several TV series like (1988-1990) and (1991), reported Indian news agency PTI.
After working for a short span with the daily soap Desai made his debut as an independent art director. His other works include TV series namely and
Superstar Salman Khan’s 1999 film marked Desai's Bollywood debut as an art director.
He went on to work in Aamir Khan’s (2001), Shah Rukh Khan’s and the 2008 film starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. He was also part of the 2015 film .
Desai was also behind some iconic sets of films including Sanjay Dutt’s (2006). He last worked as an art director in Ashutosh Gowariker’s 2019 film the report added.
In 2005, Desai opened his 52-acre ND Studios in Karjat, Raigad district, where sets of many films were built including and Indian reality TV show the report stated.
Desai had bagged four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction and three Filmfare Best Art Direction Awards, as per PTI.
In 2016, he received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the report added.
Indian filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri paid his condolences on Twitter:
Actor Riteish Deshmukh said, “Deeply shocked to know that #NitinDesai, a legendary Production Designer who has contributed immensely to the growth of Indian cinema, is no more. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Sanjay Dutt said Desai’s “contribution to Indian cinema has been monumental.”
Veteran actress Hema Malini said Desai’s “passing is a terrible loss to the film industry.”
Actress Parineeti Chopra tweeted, “Heartbreaking to hear about Nitin sir. Nitin Desai. His groundbreaking work, wisdom and artistry will be remembered forever. Rest in peace, sir.”
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