Nitin Desai’s initial postmortem reveals reason of death, art director wanted his last rites to take place at Karjat studio

Maharashtra MLA Mahesh Baldi said the celebrated art director behind ‘Lagaan’ was under financial strain. “He was under financial stress, which may have driven him to end his life,” Baldi said. Raigad Superintendent of Police (SP) Somnath Gharge said, “His family members have told us that his last rites will take place at ND Studios. His body has been taken for postmortem to JJ Hospital,” he informed the media. Reports said that Desai wanted his last rites to take place at the studio and has left a note to that effect.

Nitin Desai’s last rites will take place at his ND Studios in Kajrat.

He also added that the investigation is going on, “The devices we have found at the location including mobile phones and other stuff and electronic devices have been seized and we are investigating them. We have also taken the statement of his caretaker and driver and doing the investigations.”

Desai was noted for his innovative studio design and had collaborated with filmmakers like as Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

He was famed for his work in movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (2000), Lagaan (2002), and Devdas (2003), Jodhaa Akbar (2008) and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015).

He had won three Filmfare Awards for Best Art Direction and four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction.