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.Art Director Nitin Desai accredited for his long career International Reporter, MIL/TNN, 19 January 2008. In 2002, he turned film producer with Chandrakant Productions' Desh Devi, a devotional film on the Devi Mata of Kutch.Mammoth crowd turns up for premiere in Kutch Screen, 22 November 2002.
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 at Karjat, Navi Mumbai, near Mumbai, which has since hosted films like Jodhaa Akbar, Traffic Signal as also Color's reality show Big Boss.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.
For his contribution to cinema, he was included in the "In Memoriam" segment at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony in 2024.
Early life and education Desai was born in Mulund, Bombay, Maharashtra on 9 August 1965. 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.The art and craft of Nitin Desai Rediff.com, 18 January 2003.Nitin Chandrakant DESAI India: Jodhaa Akbar Asian Film Awards.
Career Desai 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. 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.
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. 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.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.
He turned film producer in 2003, with devotional film, Desh Devi Maa Ashapura. Situated on the outskirts of Mumbai at Karjat, the ND studios was opened in 2005 by him. Spread over , later Reliance Entertainment picked up 50 per cent stake in the studio for about Rs 1.50 billion.Hollywood productions to be filmed at ND studios Agencies Screen, 30 April 2008. He turned to producing TV series, with Marathi serial Raja Shivchhatrapati, which became a big hit.Aesthetic matters: Art director-turned-television producer Nitin Desai.. Deccan Herald.
In Marathi, he has produced a biopic movie Balgandharva released in May 2011. 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.
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.After Rani Padmini Nitin Desai to make Taj Mahal, Baji Rao Mastani Tellychaker, RajDixit 7 August 2009.
In 2011, he also debuted as a lead actor by the Marathi film Hello Jai Hind directed by Gajendra Ahire.
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.
Death Desai died by suicide in Karjat, Maharashtra, on 2 August 2023. He was 57.
Filmography
As actor YearTitle1998–2001Hum Sab Ek Hain1997Daud2011Hello Jai Hind!2011Balgandharva
As director YearTitle2012Ajintha
As producer YearTitle2008Raja Shivchhatrapati2011Balgandharva2018Truckbhar Swapna
As art director YearTitleNotes1989Parinda19931942: A Love Story 1994Aa Gale Lag Jaa 1994Droh Kaal1995Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India 1995Akele Hum Akele Tum1995The Don1995Vijeta 1995Khamoshi: The Musical 1996Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love 1996Diljale 1996Maachis1997Aar Ya Paar 1997Ishq 1998Kareeb1998Keemat: They Are Back 1998Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha 1998Barood1998Wajood1998Salaam Bombay! 1998Dahek: A Burning Passion1999Hu Tu Tu1999Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 1999Holy Smoke 1999Baadshah2000Mela2000Khauff 2000Jung 2000Josh 2000Mission Kashmir2000Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar2000Raju Chacha 2001One 2 Ka 42001Lagaan2002Pitaah 2002Filhaal... 2002Devdas2002The Legend of Bhagat Singh2002Annarth2003Ek Hindustani 2003Chupke Se2003Taj Mahal: A Monument of Love2003Munnabhai M.B.B.S.2006The Memsahib2006Lage Raho Munna Bhai 2006Jaane Hoga Kya 2007Gandhi, My Father 2007Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal2008Y.M.I. Yeh Mera India2008God Tussi Great Ho 2008Dostana2008Saas Bahu Aur Sensex 2008Little Zizou2009Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka JohurTV series2009What's Your Raashee? 2009Jail2010Once Upon a Time in Mumbai2011Balgandharva2019Panipat
As production designer YearTitleNotes1997Tunnu Ki Tina1998Such a Long Journey1999Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam2001Lagaan (2001)2001Ehsaas (2001)2002Pitaah (20022002Mission Kashmir2002Devdas2002Hum Kisise Kum Nahin 2004Khakee2004Swades2005Mangal Pandey: The Rising 2006The Memsahib2006Lage Raho Munna Bhai2007Traffic SignalGandhi, My FatherMarigold Eklavya: The Royal GuardDhan Dhana Dhan Goal2008Jodhaa Akbar Saas Bahu Aur SensexFashion 2010Ishqiya 2010Shanti 2010Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey 2013Zapatlela 2 2015Prem Ratan Dhan Payo2020PaurashpurWeb series
Awards and nominations
National Film Award for Best Art Direction YearFilmNotes1999Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar2000Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam2002Lagaan2003Devdas
Filmfare Best Art Direction YearFilmNotes19951942: A Love Story1997Khamoshi2003Devdas
IFA Best Art Direction Award YearFilmNotes2009Jodhaa Akbar
Screen Awards – Best Art Direction YearFilmNotes19941942 A Love Story1996Khamoshi: The Musical1999Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam2000Josh1994–2000 Awards Screen.2001Lagaan2008Gandhi, My FatherNitin Chandrakant Desai took home his seventh Screen trophy for Best Art Direction this year for Gandhi My Father. Screen, 18 January 2008.
Maharashtra State Film Awards – Best Art Direction YearFilmNotes2009Harishchandrachi FactoryHarishchandrachi Factory is India's Oscar entry The Times of India, Chitra Nair, TNN 21 September 2009. "46th Maharashtra State Film Awards.."
Genie Award for Best Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design FilmNotes19th Genie Awards: Such a Long Journey:Nominated
References
External links Nitin Desai Studio, Official website
The Miracle Worker Screen