Nitin Desai told me about his financial troubles, said studio wasn’t functioning and shootings weren’t happening: local MLA

Desai was found dead at his studio in Maharashtra’s Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai. The studio is located in the Karjat area of Raigad, about 50 km from Mumbai. The police are investigating the case from all possible angles, Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said. According to a local resident, who reached the studio after receiving information about the incident, said Desai came to the studio late Tuesday night.

Film personalities such as Riteish Deshmukh, Siddhartha Basu, and Neil Nitin Mukesh on Wednesday paid tributes to Desai, calling him a “genius” and a “positive soul”.

Basu, who worked with Desai on popular reality shows such as Kaun Banega Crorepati and Dus Ka Dum, said he was shocked to hear about the passing of his “friend and artistic collaborator”.

“He made sets for so many of our shows – KBC, Kamzor Kadi, Heartbeat, Bluffmaster, Dus ka Dum, Sach ka Saamna.. Conjuring world class installations on an industrial scale. Om shanti,” Basu wrote on Twitter.

Shocked & saddened to hear about the passing of friend & artistic collaborator, Nitin Desai. He made sets for so many of our shows – KBC, Kamzor Kadi, Heartbeat, Bluffmaster Dus ka Dum, Sach ka Saamna.. Conjuring world class installations on an industrial scale. Om shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/pdfpOgr8gR

— Siddhartha Basu (@babubasu) August 2, 2023

Desai was known for his artwork in films such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. In his career spanning over 30 years, Desai closely worked with directors like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani, and Ashutosh Gowariker.

Neil said it is difficult to accept the heartbreaking news of Desai’s death. The late art director worked on Jail, the 2009 film starring the actor.

“Our beloved #nitindesai has left for his heavenly abode. He was simply a genius. A visionary artist with grace, 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,” he wrote on the microblogging site.

Cannot accept the heartbreaking news . Our beloved #nitindesai has left for his heavenly abode 🙏🏻🙏🏻. He was simply a genius. A visionary artist with grace,style who understood not just his craft but people. He was a positive soul who spread only love to all . My God give his… pic.twitter.com/qUBaQ0lnUL

— Neil Nitin Mukesh (@NeilNMukesh) August 2, 2023

Actor Riteish Deshmukh remembered Desai as a soft-spoken visionary. “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 (sic),” Deshmukh tweeted.

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… pic.twitter.com/Pgkz4Mx3K7

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) August 2, 2023

The news of Desai’s demise is “devastating”, said filmmaker Sanjay Gupta.

“I can’t believe this news. Nitin Desai was the best at what he did. We worked on a few films together. Always smiling, always making life easier on set. This news is devastating. Rest In Peace my friend. You will always be missed,” Gupta tweeted.

Actor Parineeti Chopra said she was “heartbroken” to hear about Desai’s passing.

Heartbreaking to hear about Nitin sir. #NitinDesai. His groundbreaking work, wisdom and artistry will be remembered forever. Rest in peace sir.

— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) August 2, 2023

“His groundbreaking work, wisdom and artistry will be remembered forever. Rest in peace sir,” she wrote.