Nitin Chandrakant Desai, the renowned Bollywood art director, was tragically found dead in his Karjat studio near Mumbai on Wednesday. The police have disclosed that before his death, Nitin Desai had recorded 11 audio messages, and the audio recorder has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination.
In these audio messages, Mr. Desai named some individuals with whom he had grievances. While the police have not yet revealed the names, they acknowledge that the direction of the investigation may be influenced by the FSL report.
The late art director was struggling to repay a hefty loan of ₹180 crores, which had surged to ₹252 crores. Recently, a bankruptcy court approved an insolvency petition against his company, ND's Art World Pvt Ltd.
The case has been registered as an accidental death report (ADR), but the police are also probing the financial aspect. They are investigating whether the loan burden played a role in Mr. Desai's demise. The post-mortem examination at the state-run JJ Hospital in Mumbai confirmed that the cause of death was hanging.
As part of their investigation, the police have confiscated mobile phones and electronic devices found at the premises. They have also taken statements from Mr. Desai's attendants and caretakers at the facility.
Currently, Desai's body rests at the JJ Post Mortem Centre, where Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar paid their respects. As per the family's wishes, his last rites will be held at ND Studios, the iconic place where he created lavish sets for blockbuster films such as Jodhaa Akbar and La.
Nitin Desai had a remarkable career spanning two decades, collaborating with esteemed filmmakers such as Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. His exceptional art direction in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lagaan, and Devdas earned him several National Awards for Best Art Direction, solidifying his position as a true maestro in his field.
In 2005, Nitin Desai established the prestigious ND Studios in Karjat, an expansive facility spread over 52 acres. This studio played host to numerous memorable movies, including Jodha Akbar, Traffic Signal, and the iconic reality show Bigg Boss.
Beyond his outstanding artistic contributions, Nitin Desai explored other facets of the film industry, trying his hand at acting and even directing the Marathi film 'Hello Jai Hind!' He also made an appearance in the Bollywood film 'Daud.' His multifaceted contributions to cinema and art will be cherished and fondly remembered by the industry and his countless fans.
