'Jodhaa Akbar', 'Lagaan' art director Nitin Desai, whose firm defaulted on loan, found dead
Mumbai, Aug 2: Renowned art director Nitin Desai, the creator of lavish sets for films such as "Jodhaa Akbar" and "Lagaan" as well as the popular TV quiz show "Kaun Banega Crorepati", was found hanging at his studio in Karjat near Mumbai on Wednesday.
He was 57.
Desai's company ND's Art World Pvt Ltd had defaulted on a Rs 252-crore loan to its financial creditor, according to an insolvency petition filed in a bankruptcy court last week.
"Desai's body was found hanging with a rope in the morning at N D Studios," Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge told reporters, adding it seemed to be a case of suicide and the case was being investigated from all angles.
Desai's body was taken to state-run J J Hospital in Central Mumbai, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted by a panel of five doctors, he said.
Mobile phones and electronic devices found in the premises were seized and they will be examined, said the SP, adding statements of his attendants and caretakers at the sprawling facility were recorded as part of investigation.
His last rites will be performed inside N D Studios itself as per wishes of his family, he said.
An accidental death report has been registered at the Khalapur police station, said Gharge.
Police rushed to the studio in Karjat town in Raigad district, about 50 km from Mumbai, as soon as information of his death came in.
Police found some audio notes in a voice recorder and they are being examined with the help of cyber forensic experts, another official said.
Desai, who came to the studio after Tuesday midnight, had asked one of his employees to visit the facility in the morning to collect the voice recorder, he said.
The employee, a local resident, came to the studio on Wednesday morning and went to the place mentioned in the voice recorder where he found Desai hanging, he said.
The noted art director was found hanging at the centre stage of a mega floor inside the studio, a prominent place where most of the shows were conducted, said the official.
The employee later handed over the voice recorder to police, said the official.
Desai's company had borrowed Rs 185 crore through two loans from ECL Finance in 2016 and 2018, and troubles with repayments started from January 2020.
His company is engaged in the business of organising, maintaining, operating replicas of historical monuments and providing facilities and services related to hotels, theme restaurants, shopping malls and recreation centres.
Mahesh Baldi, the Independent MLA from Uran in Raigad district, told reporters that the art director was in deep financial trouble and may have ended his life because of that.
He may have taken the extreme step around 4-4.30 am, said the MLA.
"I met him one or two months ago where he spoke about the financial problems. He said the N D Studios wasn't functioning, shootings were not happening. He hoped that work will come after the monsoon," Baldi said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Culture Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, NCP president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aadtiya Thackeray besides film industry personalities expressed grief over Desai's death.
Shinde, in a tweet, said Desai's death was shocking and unfortunate.
"For me personally and for the film industry it is a very painful day," said the CM.
Shinde recalled Desai's association with the Tembhi Naka Navratri Utsav in Thane city, the political turf of the CM, and said there was always an excitement for what he created every year.
The Tembhi Naka Navratri Utsav is a famed event and was started by Shinde's mentor late Anand Dighe.
Pawar said with Desai's demise, the state has lost a great Marathi entrepreneur with a penchant for innovation and willingness to work hard.
This is a big blow to the industry, tweeted the former Union minister.
"The passing away of Desai is sad and painful," Pawar added.
Talking to reporters, Culture Minister Mungantiwar said the country and the state have lost a fine artist.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aadtiya Thackeray said in Desai's death India has lost an artist of enormous talent.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Desai worked with directors like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani, and Ashutosh Gowariker, creating sprawling sets for scores of films, including "Devdas", "Swades", "Jodhaa Akbar", "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" and "Parinda". The art director and production designer also worked for Marathi films and numerous TV shows.
His company ND's Art World is engaged in the business of organising, maintaining, operating replicas of historical monuments and providing facilities and services related to hotels, theme restaurants, shopping malls and recreation centres.
His sudden death shocked the film industry with Hema Malini, Manoj Bajpayee, Sanjay Dutt, Resul Pookutty, Madhur Bhandarkar and Siddhartha Basu, among others, sending their condolences.
Desai's death was a "terrible loss" to the film industry, said Hema Malini.
"Such a warm human being, associated with many of my projects and ballets... May he find peace wherever he is," she tweeted.
Bajpayee said it would take him some time to process the death of "a great artiste and lovely friend".
Desai was "one of the best production designers we had", said filmmaker Rahul Dholakia.
"I met and worked with him on Hum Panchi Ek Daal ke - heartfelt condolences to his team, his family and the staff at ND studio," said the director in a tweet.
Basu, who worked with Desai on the popular reality shows "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, which was recently rebranded as X.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar, who worked with the late designer on films such as "Traffic Signal", "Fashion" and "Jail", said Desai will be missed.
"His immense talent and extrovert personality made every project unforgettable. Indian cinema has lost a true gem. Heartfelt condolences to his family members. We will miss you Dada. #OmShanti," Bhandarkar said.
Sound designer Resul Pookutty said he was "shocked beyond belief" to learn about Desai's death.
"Always smiling, creative, problem solver, ambitious and a man who walked ahead of an Industry, my dear #NitinDesai You will be missed. Everybody is fighting a battle that we don't know about.. strength to the family " the Oscar winner tweeted.
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh said it is difficult to accept the heartbreaking news.
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.
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No hurdle to increase Almatti Dam height, says Deputy CM Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said there is no legal impediment to issuing a notification for the Upper Krishna River Phase-3 project, including raising the height of the Almatti dam, and indicated that the state would soon take a decision after consultations.
Speaking to reporters here after his recent Delhi visit, he also said an all-party meeting may be convened in the state even as there was broad political consensus on taking up irrigation issues with the Centre.
“There is no legal hurdle to issuing a notification for increasing the height of the Almatti dam, and there is no stay order either, as stated by legal experts. We will take our own decision soon. An all-party meeting may also be convened in the State,” Shivakumar, who holds the water resource portfolio, said.
He said 24 Members of Parliament from Karnataka attended a meeting held in Delhi, cutting across party lines except the Janata Dal (Secular), where various irrigation issues were discussed.
“We stayed in Delhi for two days and held a meeting of the State’s Members of Parliament. A total of 24 MPs attended. Except for the Janata Dal (Secular), MPs from the BJP, Congress, Independents and nominated members were present. I briefed them about the status of several irrigation projects in the State,” he said.
Shivakumar said several leaders offered suggestions and an all-party delegation would meet the Prime Minister and the Union Water Resource Minister C R Patil.
“Jagadish Shettar, Govind Karjol, Basavaraj Bommai and P C Mohan offered certain suggestions. Union ministers from Karnataka V Somanna and Pralhad Joshi said they could not attend and requested another meeting. It has been decided to take an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister and C R Patil. There is consensus on this,” he said.
Referring to legal consultations, he said, “In this matter, our legal advisors Mohan Katarki, retired judge Nagamohan Das and the Advocate General have given some useful inputs. We will take a decision soon.”
On urban development issues, he said the State has taken up concerns with the Centre regarding building norms. “We have brought to the notice of the Civil Aviation Minister the differences in premium FAR and building height regulations between our state and others. We will soon meet the Defence Minister as well. We have explained the issues faced by our state, and all have responded positively,” he said.
On the proposal for a second airport in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said it would be examined by the Cabinet.
He said state Minister M B Patil has submitted a proposal, and opinions have also been given. It needs to be placed before the Cabinet to discuss the pros and cons.
Issues like land acquisition, finances and other aspects must be examined. A study has been conducted and a report submitted, he added.
The Deputy CM said central aviation authorities have also provided a report on global standards regarding building height restrictions. The state government will take a decision after reviewing that report.
On the upcoming assembly by-elections in Bagalkote and Davangere, Shivakumar, who is also the Congress Karnataka unit president, said candidate selection would be decided by the party high command.
“Over the last two months, I have collected reports from booth level to all levels. Our leaders have visited and given their opinions. I have also spoken to some people. AICC secretaries will arrive in the next two to three days. The Chief Minister and I have discussed what needs to be done in the two constituencies. I cannot disclose it publicly. We will present our views in the interest of the party. ‘B’ forms will be distributed as per the decision of the high command,” he said.
Ruling out any preference for family members, he said, "Family is not important here. The party must win and that is what matters."
He noted that multiple stakeholders, including minorities, have claims that need to be balanced through discussions.
Shivakumar also told reporters that discussions on Assam elections were held with party leaders and another meeting would be conducted through video conference, following which a campaign schedule would be finalised.
Responding to demands for a Cabinet reshuffle, Shivakumar said there was nothing wrong in aspirations.
On whether it would be a reshuffle or power-sharing exercise, he said, “Time will decide.”
He also declined to comment on reports of a separate meeting with Priyanka Gandhi.
“I will not discuss that. I will not reveal whom I met or what I discussed. Time will decide,” he said.
On AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal’s statement that there was no vacancy for the Chief Minister’s post, Shivakumar said, “Yes, he has said there is no vacancy. He has also said that the party and MLAs will take a decision.”
