PremiumNitin Desai’s death: Hema Malini, Sanjay Dutt, Parineeti Chopra & more express grief on national-award winning art director’s demise
Nitin Desai was best known for his work in popular Bollywood movies namely Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Lagaan (2001), Devdas (2002), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015).
Bollywood movies' popular art director, Nitin Desai, passes away.
Last Updated: 01.14 PM, Aug 02, 2023
It is indeed a sad day for Indian cinema as renowned art director and production designer, Nitin Chandrakant Desai died allegedly by suicide today morning. The national-award winning artist was best known for his works in megastar Aamir Khan starrer Lagaan, Sanjay Dutt starrer Munnabhai MBBS and Oscar award winning movie Slumdog Millionaire.
The news development was confirmed by news agency ANI. In a tweet today, ANI attached a quote from Maharashtra Police which read, “We have found the body of art director Nitin Desai hanging in his studio in Karjat. Police were informed about this by a worker on the set. When the police team reached the studio, we saw his body hanging. We are investigating the case further for ascertaining all the aspects in this case.”
Soon after this development, a flood of tweets in memory of Nitin Desai started pouring on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Veteran actress Hema Malini, who is popularly known as ‘The Dream Girl of Bollywood’, extended her condolences to the near and dear ones of Desai. “Shocking news this morning - Art Director Nitin Desai is no more. Such a warm human being, associated with many of my projects and ballets, his passing is a terrible loss to the film industry. May he find peace wherever he is,” she wrote on Twitter.
Actor Sanjay Dutt, who worked closely with Desai in Munnabhai series, too felt saddened to know about the development and wrote, “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.”
Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh also penned a note in memory of Desai and said, “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.”
Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, who worked closely with the actor on the set of the 2015 movie, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, expressed his tributes to Desai and said, “Cannot accept the heartbreaking news. Our beloved Nitin Desai has left for his heavenly abode. He was simply a genius. A visionary artist with grace and 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.”
National award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut, who worked with Desai in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai (2010) shared a post on her Instagram Stories and wrote, “Such a terrible news!!! Beyond shocked…pained beyond words…Om Shanti.”
Popular actress Parineeti Chopra also condoled the death of Nitin Desai. “Heartbreaking to hear about Nitin sir. #NitinDesai. His groundbreaking work, wisdom, and artistry will be remembered forever. Rest in peace sir,” she wrote on Twitter.
According to a report published in Mint newspaper, Nitin Desai passed away at the age of 57. However, the exact age of his demise is not yet known.