Mumbai | Renowned art director Nitin Desai, a four-time National Award winner, was found hanging on Wednesday at his studio in Maharashtra's Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai, a senior police official said.
Prima facie, it seems to be a case of suicide, the official said, adding they are investigating the case from all angles.
Desai, 57, who owned the N D Studios in Raigad, served as the art director and production designer for a number of Bollywood and Marathi movies.
Mahesh Baldi, an independent MLA from Uran area under which Desai's studio comes, while talking to reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan complex claimed the art director was facing a financial crisis and may have committed suicide due to it.
"Desai's body was found hanging with a rope in the morning at the N D Studios," Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said.
The studio is located in Karjat area of Raigad, about 50 km from Mumbai.
After being alerted, police rushed to the spot, the official said.
The police are investigating the case from all possible angles, Gharge said.
Besides police, a team of doctors and forensic science experts were at the spot and conducting a probe into the incident.
MLA Mahesh Baldi claimed Desai may have committed suicide, most likely at around 4 - 4.30 am.
"He was in deep financial trouble. I met him one or two months ago where he spoke about the financial problems. He said the N D Studio wasn't functioning, shootings were not happening. He hoped that work will come after the monsoon. Financial crisis was the reason why he took this step," Baldi further claimed.
According to a local resident, who reached the studio after receiving information about the incident, said Desai came to the studio late Tuesday night.
Desai was found hanging at the centre stage of a mega floor inside the studio, a prominent place where most of the shows were conducted, he said.
After getting information about the incident, Desai's relatives also reached the studio, he added.
Desai was known for his art work in films like "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", "Lagaan", "Jodhaa Akbar" and "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo".
In his career spanning over 30 years, Desai closely worked with directors like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani and Ashutosh Gowariker.
Industry colleagues mourn 'Lagaan' art director Nitin Desai's demise
Film personalities, including Hema Malini, Manoj Bajpayee, Siddhartha Basu, and Neil Nitin Mukesh, on Wednesday condoled the demise of celebrated art director Nitin Desai, remembering him as a "genius" and "a warm human being".
Desai, known for designing sets of popular big-budget titles such as Ashutosh Gowariker's "Lagaan" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", was found hanging at his studio in the Karjat area of Raigad, about 50 km from Mumbai, said a senior police official. Desai was 57.
Actor-politician 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.
Bhansali Productions, founded by director Bhansali, paid homage to Desai on social media. The banner shared a photo of the art director on its Instagram Stories and captioned it as "May your soul rest in peace".
"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 wrote on Twitter.
Neil said it is difficult to accept the heartbreaking news of Desai's death. The late art director worked on "Jail", the 2009 film starring the actor.
"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 on Twitter, which was recently rebranded as 'X'.
Basu, who worked with Desai on popular reality shows such as "Kaun Banega Crorepati" and "Dus Ka Dum", said he was shocked to hear about the passing of his "friend and artistic collaborator".
"He made sets for so many of our shows - KBC, Kamzor Kadi, Heartbeat, Bluffmaster, Dus ka Dum, Sach ka Saamna.. Conjuring world class installations on an industrial scale. Om shanti," Basu wrote on the microblogging site.
Desai was also known for his art work in films such as "Jodhaa Akbar", "Swades", "Parinda", and "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo", "Parinda", as well as web series "Paurashpur".
In his career spanning over 30 years, Desai earned National Film Awards in Best Art Direction for four films, namely "Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar" (1999), "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" (2000), "Lagaan" (2002), and "Devdas" (2003). He was a frequent collaborator of directors like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani, and Gowariker.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee said it will take him some time to process the demise of Desai, whom he called "a great artiste and lovely friend".
Actor Suniel Shetty called Desai "one of the most talented art directors and one of the finest human beings" at an event here.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh remembered Desai as a soft-spoken visionary.
"Deeply shocked to know that #NitinDesai, a legendary Production Designer who has contributed immensely to the growth of Indian cinema in no more.
"My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. I had known him for years.. soft spoken, humble, ambitious & a visionary… you will be missed my friend. Om Shanti (sic)," Deshmukh tweeted.
Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia said Desai was "one of the best production designers we had".
"I met and worked with him on Hum Panchi Ek Daal ke - heartfelt condolences to his team, his family and the staff at ND studio," said the director in a tweet.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar, who worked with the late designer on films such as "Traffic Signal", "Fashion" and "Jail", said Desai will be missed.
"His immense talent and extrovert personality made every project unforgettable. Indian cinema has lost a true gem. Heartfelt condolences to his family members. We will miss you Dada. #OmShanti," Bhandarkar said.
Sound designer Resul Pookutty said he was "shocked beyond belief" to learn about Desai's death.
"Always smiling, creative, problem solver, ambitious and a man who walked ahead of an Industry, my dear #NitinDesai You will be missed… Everybody is fighting a battle that we don't know about.. strength to the family…" the Oscar winner tweeted.
The news of Desai's demise is "devastating", said filmmaker Sanjay Gupta.
"I can't believe this news. Nitin Desai was the best at what he did. We worked on a few films together. Always smiling, always making life easier on set. This news is devastating. Rest In Peace my friend. You will always be missed," Gupta tweeted.
Actor Parineeti Chopra said she was "heartbroken" to hear about Desai's passing.
"His groundbreaking work, wisdom and artistry will be remembered forever. Rest in peace sir," she wrote.
