Eminent art director Nitin Desai found dead in his studio

In a shocking incident, eminent national-award winning art director and production designer Nitin Desai was found dead in his ND Studio near Karjat in Raigad district of Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Desai was in financial distress and the debts had crossed a whooping over Rs 250-crore, according to reports.

The state-of-the-art filmmaking facility with multiple seats, indoors and outdoor locations is spread over 52 acres.

Desai, who has created magnificent sets for award-winning Superhit films like Devdas, Jodha Akbar, Mission Kashmir, Munnabhai M.B.B.S and Lage Raho Munnabhai - was under tremendous financial distress.

He was 58.

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His body was found hanging from the ceiling.

Initial reports that that Desai died by suicide and an accidental death report is being registered by Khalapur police station.

His body would be sent to the Sir JJ Hospital in Mumbai for post-mortem.

A recorded audio of Desai - in which he has named some persons - has been found - which the police are investigating, however, it could not be independently confirmed.

The last rites would be conducted on Thursday at the ND Studio as per the request of the family, which the police has agreed.

His dead body was found by the staff after which the Raigad police were summoned.

“The police were informed by a worker on the set. When the police team reached the studio we saw his body hanging. We are investigating the case further to ascertain all the aspects in this case," Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said after visiting the ND Studio.

"Desai was under financial distress and this could be the reason for suicide," Uran MLA Mahesh Baldi told reporters.

“I met him a couple of months ago where he spoke about financial issues. He said that the operation of ND Studio was affected as shootings were not happening. He hoped that work would come after the monsoon. Financial crisis was the reason why might have taken this step,” Baldi claimed.

Nitin Dada, as Desai was known, has worked with India’s top producers and directors and actors.

“After we got the information, teams of fingerprint experts, forensic experts, photographers and videographers were sent. A dog squad was also sent,” Gharge said, adding that the statements of attendants and caretakers at ND Studio have been recorded.

“Electronic equipment like mobile phones have been taken for examination,” he said.

Asked about the audio tape, he said: “We are examining everything and all angles are being investigated… I am unable to share anything more at this stage.”

Desai’s company, ND’s Art World Pvt Ltd, had borrowed Rs 185 crore through two loans from ECL Finance in 2016 and 2018, and troubles with repayments started from January 2020. During Covid-19 triggered lockdown affected him badly. On July 25, the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal had admitted a petition filed by Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company to initiate a corporate insolvency resolution process.

Desai was also worked with several international studios and production houses.