Nitin Chandrakant Desai (6 August 1965 – 2 August 2023) was an Indian art director, production designer, and film and television producer. He was most known for his work in Marathi and Hindi Films, World Cultural Festival 2016 at Delhi and films like, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Lagaan (2001), Devdas (2002), Jodhaa Akbar (2008) and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015). During his career spanning twenty years, he worked with directors like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.[1] In 2002, he turned film producer with Chandrakant Productions' Desh Devi, a devotional film on the Devi Mata of Kutch.[2]
Nitin Chandrakant Desai | |
|---|---|
 Desai in 2012 | |
| Born | 6 August 1965 |
| Died | 2 August 2023 (aged 57) Karjat, Maharashtra, India |
| Alma mater | Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art L.S.Raheja School of Arts |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, filmmaker, Art director, production designer |
| Years active | 1987–2023 |
| Notable work | Jodhaa Akbar Ajintha Harishchandrachi Factory Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Lagaan Devdas Balgandharva |
| Website | www |
Desai won National Film Award for Best Art Direction four times, and Filmfare Best Art Direction Award three times. In 2005, he opened his ND Studios spread over 52 acres (21 ha) at Karjat, Navi Mumbai, near Mumbai, which has since hosted films like Jodhaa Akbar, Traffic Signal as also Color's reality show Big Boss.[3][4]
For his contribution to cinema, he was included in the "In Memoriam" segment at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony in 2024.[5]
Early life and education
editDesai was born in Mulund, Bombay, Maharashtra on 9 August 1965.[6] He attended school at Wamanrao Muranjan High School, Mulund in a Marathi Medium. He studied photography at the J.J. School of Art and L.S.Raheja school of arts, in Mumbai, before joining the films.[7][8]
Career
editDesai first went to Mumbai's Film City Studios in May 1987, and immediately switched from the 2-D format of still photography to a 3-D world of art direction.[citation needed] He joined noted art director, Nitish Roy as a fourth assistant for the period TV serial, Tamas (1987), directed by Govind Nihalani. Thereafter he worked TV series, Kabir for five-and-a-half years, series Chanakya for the first 25 episodes, and took over independently from the 26th episode onwards.[citation needed]
His first feature film was Adhikari Brothers's Bhookamp in 1993, but it was Vidhu Vinod Chopra's period film, 1942: A Love Story in 1994 that got him noticed.[7] Over the years he has worked in films such as Parinda, Khamoshi, Maachis, Baadshah, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Raju Chacha, international projects like Salaam Bombay!, Amok (a French film directed by Joel Farges, which won Desai a Pri Genie nomination), Jungle Book, Kama Sutra, the Canadian film Such a Long Journey and Holy Smoke. He also created two sets for Slumdog Millionaire 2008 film, which include the set of Kaun Banega Crorepati scene, incidentally he had also designed the set for the Star Plus TV series, and an interiors set of the Taj Mahal.[9][10]
He turned film producer in 2003, with devotional film, Desh Devi Maa Ashapura.[7] Situated on the outskirts of Mumbai at Karjat, the ND studios was opened in 2005 by him. Spread over 52 acres (21 ha), later Reliance Entertainment picked up 50 per cent stake in the studio for about Rs 1.50 billion.[11][12] He turned to producing TV series, with Marathi serial Raja Shivchhatrapati, which became a big hit.[13]
In Marathi, he has produced a biopic movie Balgandharva released in May 2011.[14] He has also produced a reality TV show Marathi Paul Padte Pudhe, which provides a platform for young talent. Concept is similar to America's Got Talent.[citation needed]
Desai was reportedly working on Amol Gupte's Sapno Ko Ginte Ginte. After producing Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur (2009) television series, he was reportedly producing historic TV series, Taj Mahal and Baji Rao Mastani.[15]
In 2011, he also debuted as a lead actor by the Marathi film Hello Jai Hind directed by Gajendra Ahire.[citation needed]
Most of Desai's successful work as an art director was in period films, as can be seen by the fact that all four of his National Film Award for Best Art Direction awards have been for period films.[citation needed]
Death
editDesai died by suicide in Karjat, Maharashtra, on 2 August 2023. He was 57.[6][16][17][18]
Filmography
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2023) |
As actor
edit| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1998–2001 | Hum Sab Ek Hain |
| 1997 | Daud |
| 2011 | Hello Jai Hind! |
| 2011 | Balgandharva |
As director
edit| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Ajintha |
As producer
edit| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Raja Shivchatrapati |
| 2011 | Balgandharva |
| 2018 | Truckbhar Swapna |
As art director
editAs production designer
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Tunnu Ki Tina | |
| 1998 | Such a Long Journey | |
| 1999 | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | |
| 2001 | Lagaan (2001) | |
| 2001 | Ehsaas (2001) | |
| 2002 | Pitaah (2002 | |
| 2002 | Mission Kashmir | |
| 2002 | Devdas | |
| 2002 | Hum Kisise Kum Nahin | |
| 2004 | Khakee | |
| 2004 | Swades | |
| 2005 | Mangal Pandey: The Rising | |
| 2006 | The Memsahib | |
| 2006 | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | |
| 2007 | Traffic Signal | |
| Gandhi, My Father | ||
| Marigold | ||
| Eklavya: The Royal Guard | ||
| Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal | ||
| 2008 | Jodhaa Akbar | |
| Saas Bahu Aur Sensex | ||
| Fashion | ||
| 2010 | Ishqiya | |
| 2010 | Shanti | |
| 2010 | Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey | |
| 2013 | Zapatlela 2 | |
| 2015 | Prem Ratan Dhan Payo | |
| 2020 | Paurashpur | Web series |
Awards and nominations
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2023) |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar | |
| 2000 | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | |
| 2002 | Lagaan | |
| 2003 | Devdas |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1942: A Love Story | |
| 1997 | Khamoshi | |
| 2003 | Devdas | [20] |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Jodhaa Akbar |
Screen Awards – Best Art Direction
edit| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1942 A Love Story | |
| 1996 | Khamoshi: The Musical | |
| 1999 | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | |
| 2000 | Josh | [21] |
| 2001 | Lagaan' | |
| 2008 | Gandhi, My Father | [22] |
Maharashtra State Film Awards – Best Art Direction
edit| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Harishchandrachi Factory | [23] |
| Film | Notes |
|---|---|
| 19th Genie Awards: Such a Long Journey: | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Art Director Nitin Desai accredited for his long career International Reporter, MIL/TNN, 19 January 2008.
- ^ Mammoth crowd turns up for premiere in Kutch[dead link] Screen, 22 November 2002.
- ^ Nitin Desai on Bollywood, ND Studio and much more CNN IBN, 10 May 2008.
- ^ Nitin Desai's Movie Studio: A Tour Business of Cinema, Rohini Bhandari, 9 March 2007.
- ^ Chasan, Aliza (10 March 2024). "Who did the Oscars 2024 In Memoriam include? Full list of those remembered at the Academy Awards". CBS News. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Art Director Nitin Desai Dies By Suicide At ND Studios In Karjat". Free Press Journal. 2 August 2023.
- ^ a b c The art and craft of Nitin Desai Rediff.com, 18 January 2003.
- ^ Nitin Chandrakant DESAI India: Jodhaa Akbar Asian Film Awards.
- ^ I often build my dreams through my sets: Nitin Chadrakant Desai Realbollywood, 3 March 2009.
- ^ Game, set, movie: Nitin Desai, who created the sets for “Slumdog Millionaire”... The Hindu, 24 January 2009.
- ^ "Finally, a Hollywood movie made in India". Mint. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ Hollywood productions to be filmed at ND studios Agencies Screen, 30 April 2008.
- ^ Aesthetic matters: Art director-turned-television producer Nitin Desai.. Deccan Herald.
- ^ "Balgandharva | Narayan Shripad Rajhans | Iconic Chandrakant Productions | Nitin Desai | India's Best Art Director | Marathi Film". Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ After Rani Padmini Nitin Desai to make Taj Mahal, Baji Rao Mastani Archived 10 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine Tellychaker, RajDixit 7 August 2009.
- ^ NDTV (2 August 2023). "For Art Director Nitin Desai, Tributes From Parineeti Chopra, Riteish Deshmukh And Other Stars". Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ Raj, Neha (2 August 2023). "Mumbai Film Industry Mourns the Loss of Renowned Art Director Nitin Chandrakant Desai". PUNE NEWS. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Nitin Chandrakant Desai Dies: Bollywood Production Director Of Oscar-Nominated Film 'Lagaan' Was 57". Deadline. 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Coming up, an international film on King Shivaji!". 27 December 2019.
- ^ Awards for Nitin Chandrakant Desai at IMDb
- ^ 1994–2000 Awards Screen.
- ^ Nitin Chandrakant Desai took home his seventh Screen trophy for Best Art Direction this year for Gandhi My Father. [dead link] Screen, 18 January 2008.
- ^ Harishchandrachi Factory is India's Oscar entry The Times of India, Chitra Nair, TNN 21 September 2009. "46th Maharashtra State Film Awards.."
External links
edit- Nitin Desai Studio, Official website Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- Nitin Chandrakant Desai at IMDb
- The Miracle Worker[dead link] Screen