Art director Nitin Desai dies: Initial postmortem reveals ‘death due to hanging’; probe underway

The postmortem of Bollywood art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai was conducted by a team of four doctors on August 2. Raigad Police said that according to the preliminary findings, the cause of death is due to hanging and further investigation is underway.

The police said, ‘Postmortem of art director Nitin Desai has been conducted by a team of four doctors. As per preliminary findings, the cause of death is due to hanging. Further investigation is underway.’

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 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.’

A source informed ETimes that Nitin Desai has left behind a recording in which he allegedly wanted his funeral to take place at Studio 10. The insider also claimed that Nitin had planned his death.

‘In the recording, Desai has also mentioned not to take his ND Studios away from him. He also mentioned that his last rites be performed at Studio no 10,’ the source claimed.
The renowned art director was found dead on August 2 in his ND Studio in Karjat.
Maharashtra MLA Mahesh Baldi said Nitin Desai was under financial strain, which may have driven him to end his life.

Desai was noted for his innovative studio design and had collaborated with filmmakers like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
He was known for his work in movies like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ (2000), ‘Lagaan’ (2002), and ‘Devdas’ (2003). Nitin Desai had won three Filmfare Awards for Best Art Direction and four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction.

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