MUMBAI, Aug 2:
Renowned art director Nitin Desai, who created sets for blockbuster films like “Lagaan” and “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”, allegedly committed suicide on Wednesday at his studio in Maharashtra’s Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai, a police official said.
He was found hanging at the N D Studios in Karjat area of Raigad, located about 50 km from Mumbai, the police said, adding they were investigating the case from all angles.
Desai, 57, served as the art director and production designer for a number of Bollywood and Marathi movies.
A case of accidental death was registered at Khalapur police station, a police official said.
The art director had defaulted on a Rs 252-crore loan to its financial creditor, and a bankruptcy court admitted an insolvency petition against his company last week.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Culture Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and NCP president Sharad Pawar expressed grief over Desai’s death.
Mahesh Baldi, an independent MLA from Uran area under which Desai’s studio comes, while talking to reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan complex claimed the art director was facing a financial crisis and this may have led him to take the extreme step.
“Nitin Desai’s body was found hanging at the N D Studios at around 9 am on Wednesday. We have called a cyber forensic team, dog squad and fingerprint experts at the spot. We are investigating the incident from every angle,” Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge told reporters.
After being alerted, police rushed to the spot.
MLA Mahesh Baldi claimed Desai may have committed suicide most likely at around 4 – 4.30 am.
“He was in deep financial trouble. I met him one or two months ago where he spoke about the financial problems. He said the N D Studio wasn’t functioning, shootings were not happening. He hoped that work will come after the monsoon. Financial crisis was the reason why he took this step,” Baldi further claimed. (PTI)
A local resident, who reached the studio after receiving information about the incident, said Desai came to the studio late Tuesday night.
Desai was found hanging at the centre stage of a mega floor inside the studio, a prominent place where most of the shows were conducted, he said.
After getting information about the incident, Desai’s relatives also reached the studio, he added.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
