Nitin Chandrakant Desai Dies: Bollywood Production Director Of Oscar-Nominated Film ‘Lagaan’ Was 57

Prodip Guha/Getty Images Nitin Chandrakant Desai, the prominent Bollywood production designer of the Oscar-nominated music sports drama Lagaan, has died. He was 57.

Desai reportedly was found dead at his studio in Karat, near Mumbai. The Indian Express and other local news agencies have reported police initially are suspecting suicide. Investigations

are continuing.

Related StoriesObituariesHollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & ObituariesNewsEkta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms & Netflix Unveil Creative Partnership Desai was known for his colorful

work on the 2001 blockbuster Lagaan and Devdas, the BAFTA-nominated Indian drama from a year later. During his long career he also worked on another Oscar-nominated feature, 1988’s Salaam

Bombay!, and on 1942: A Love Story (1993), Hum Do De Choke Sanam (1999) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008), among others. He also designed the set for Kaun Banega Crorepati? in Slumdog Millionaire and

worked as a producer on several films and TV shows. He also directed Hello Jai Hind! and Ajintha, the former of which he also acted in.

Desai set up ND Studios in Karjat, where he is believed to have been found, in 2005. He won four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction and three Filmfare Best Art Direction Awards,

with his set design considered among the most historically accurate and intricate in Bollywood history.

Watch on Deadline His passing has had a profound effect on India’s TV and film community. A video posted on Twitter shows actor Suniel Shetty respond to a question during a press conference

to say: “Heartfelt condolences to him and his family. All I know he was one of the most talented and humble art directors and one of the finest human beings.”

The Vaccine War director Vivek Agnihotri wrote on Twitter: “I am heartbroken and sad beyond control to learn about my dearest friend Nitin Desai’s death. A legendary Production designer, a

visionary who made ND Studio… Nitin not only loved Pallavi and I, he always guided me even in films we didn’t do together. Why Nitin, why?”

Actor and Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi presenter Akshay Kumar said he was postponing the trailer launch of OMG 2 until tomorrow out respect.

“Unbelievably sad to know about the demise of Nitin Desai. He was a stalwart in production design and such a big part of our cinema fraternity. He worked on so many of my films… this is a

huge loss. Out of respect, we are not releasing the OMG 2 trailer today. Will launch it tomorrow at 11am. Om Shanti,” he wrote on Twitter.

Unbelievably sad to know about the demise of Nitin Desai. He was a stalwart in production design and such a big part of our cinema fraternity. He worked on so many of my films… this is a

huge loss. Out of respect, we are not releasing the OMG 2 trailer today. Will launch it…

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 2, 2023

Must Read StoriesHide ArticlesWhy ‘Ballerina’ Isn’t Springing Into The Rafters With Likely $25M-$27M OpeningSean Combs Demands Mistrial In Case Claiming “Prosecutorial Misconduct”How To

Watch Tonight’s Tony Awards: Red Carpet, Preshow & Ceremony‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ Bidding War Talks Heat Up; Taylor Sheridan In MixRead More About:Breaking NewsDevdasLagaanNitin

Chandrakant DesaiObituaries CommentsSubscribe to Deadline Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.

Sign UpNo CommentsLoading comments...