From Devdas to Lagaan, art director Nitin Desai has had a brilliant career in cinema, then why the suicide?

The body of noted film art director Nitin Desai was found hanging in his studio in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Wednesday. A senior police officer gave this information. The official said that prima facie it appears to be a case of suicide and it is being probed from all angles. Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said, “Desai’s body was found hanging from a rope in the morning at ND Studio,” which is in Karjat area of ​​Raigad, about 50 km from Mumbai. The officer said that as soon as the information about the case was received, the police reached Desai’s studio. Desai had worked as art director and production designer for several Bollywood and Marathi films. He is known for art direction in films like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, ‘Jodha Akbar’ and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’.

in Indian cinema Contribution of Nitin Desai

Desai’s contribution to Indian cinema is immense, having changed the visual landscape of many acclaimed films. He has worked in more than a hundred films in a career spanning 30 years. His filmography establishes him as one of the most prolific art directors in the Indian film industry.

Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Nitin Desai began his career as an art director in the early 1990s, starting with films like ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ and ‘Jigar’. He did ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’ and ‘1942: A Love Story’, for which he was honored with the award.

Desai’s work transcends regional barriers as he has graced not only Hindi but also Marathi films like ‘Sachya Aat Gharat’ and ‘Natrang’ with his artistry. His expertise is also noticeable in international projects like ‘Gandhi, My Father’, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. His collaboration with director Ashutosh Gowariker for Lagaan, which visualized rural India in the late 19th century, won him the National Film Award for Best Art Direction.

Nitin Desai’s contribution to Indian cinema is not just limited to creating mesmerizing visuals on screen. In 2002, he established ND Film World, a mega film city in Karjat, on the outskirts of Mumbai. This film city has been the backdrop of various Indian and international films, TV shows and advertisements.

In a historical film like ‘Devdas’, Nitin Desai created an environment that highlighted the film’s tragic story through meticulous set design, earning him the IIFA Award for Best Art Direction.

The role of an art director is challenging as they constantly have to strike a balance between the director’s vision, the production budget and the demands of the narrative. However, Nitin Desai has managed the task with dexterity and imagination over the years. His stellar vision often takes the audience into a realm that brilliantly mirrors the story, making him a master craftsman of the cinematic world.

Summing up his career, Nitin Desai’s filmography is a study in excellence, a testimony to his unwavering dedication to artistic detail and perfection in the vast world of cinema.