Nitin Desai Death: Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker attend funeral of Lagaan art director, pay last respects

Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker. Pic/Pallav Paliwal

National Award-winning art director Nitin Chandrakanth Desai died by suicide on Wednesday at his ND Studios in Karjat. He was cremated today in the presence of family members and colleagues. He was 57 years old and was about to celebrate his 58th birthday on August 9. The renowned art director was known for designing sets of films like Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and the popular TV quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Nitin's last rites were performed by his son. Lagaan's director Ashutosh Gowariker and actor Aamir Khan visited ND Studios to pay their last respects. Apart from them, Madhur Bhandarkar and Subodh Bhave were at the funeral. Nitin worked with Madhur on films like Traffic Signal, Fashion, Jail, and Indu Sarkar. Subodh was seen with the art director in Balgandharva.

Earlier today, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited JJ Hospital in South Mumbai, where his post-mortem was conducted, to monitor the situation. They were at ND Studios too to pay their last respects.

According to the post-mortem report, Nitin died by suicide and it was confirmed by Raigad superintendent of police-Somnath Gharge. After completing legal procedures, the mortal remains of the veteran art director were handed over to the Desai family this morning. It was taken to ND Studios for the funeral.

As per reports, Nitin's company had defaulted on a Rs 252-crore loan repayment to creditors and the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal had initiated insolvency proceedings against it.

(Picture Credits: Pallav Paliwal)