Oscars 2024: Nitin Chandrakant Desai, art director of 'Lagaan' & 'Jodhaa Akbar', honoured at Academy Awards' 'In Memoriam'

Renowned production director Nitin Desai, who created sets for blockbuster movies such as the Oscar-nominated “Lagaan” and “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”, was among the film personalities who were honoured in the ‘In Memoriam’ segment at the 96th Academy Awards.

Every year, the Academy Awards pay a tribute to industry legends who passed away in the last one year in its ‘In Memoriam’ montage.

Desai, 57, was found hanging at his studio in Karjat near Mumbai on August 2, 2023.

He was also known for his art work in films such as “Jodhaa Akbar” and “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” as well as the popular TV quiz show “Kaun Banega Crorepati”.

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In his career spanning over 30 years, Desai closely worked with directors like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani and Ashutosh Gowariker.

As per reports, the influential personality hung himself to death at his own ND Studios in Karjat, which is a 90-minute drive from Mumbai. Incidentally, Desai ended his life just before his birthday as he would have turned 58 on August 9.

As per reports, the influential personality hung himself to death at his own ND Studios in Karjat, which is a 90-minute drive from Mumbai. Incidentally, Desai ended his life just before his birthday as he would have turned 58 on August 9.

Apart from working as an art director and production designer, the multi-talented personality produced projects like Raja Shivchatrapati and Truckbhar Swapna. He also went on direct magnum opus Ajintha and Hello Jai Hind!

In 2005 he opened his ambitious ND Studios in Karjat, which was set to many biggies with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Jodhaa Akbarbeing the prominent ones. In fact, many seasons of Bigg Boss were also shot at the same studio.

With added inputs from agencies