Nitin Chandrakant Desai

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Nitin Chandrakant Desai
File:Nitin desai premiere marathi film.jpg
Desai in 2012
Born(1965-08-06)6 August 1965
Mulund, Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Died2 August 2023(2023-08-02) (aged 57)
N. D. Studio, Chowk, Khalapur, Dist Raigad, Maharashtra, India
Alma materSir J.J. Institute of Applied Art
L.S.Raheja School of Arts
OccupationsActor, filmmaker, Art director, production designer
Years active1987–2023
Notable workJodhaa Akbar
Ajintha
Harishchandrachi Factory
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Lagaan
Devdas
Balgandharva
Websitewww.ndsfilmworld.com

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]

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

[edit | edit source]

Desai 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

[edit | edit source]

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.[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]

File:NDStudios2.JPG
A set at ND Studios, Karjat.

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

[edit | edit source]

Desai died by suicide in Karjat, Maharashtra, on 2 August 2023. He was 57.[6][16][17][18]

Filmography

[edit | edit source]

As actor

[edit | edit source]
Year Title
1998–2001 Hum Sab Ek Hain
1997 Daud
2011 Hello Jai Hind!
2011 Balgandharva

As director

[edit | edit source]
Year Title
2012 Ajintha

As producer

[edit | edit source]
Year Title
2008 Raja Shivchatrapati
2011 Balgandharva
2018 Truckbhar Swapna

As art director

[edit | edit source]
Year Title Notes
1989 Parinda
1993 1942: A Love Story
1994 Aa Gale Lag Jaa
1994 Droh Kaal
1995 Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India
1995 Akele Hum Akele Tum
1995 The Don
1995 Vijeta
1995 Khamoshi: The Musical
1996 Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
1996 Diljale
1996 Maachis
1997 Aar Ya Paar
1997 Ishq
1998 Kareeb
1998 Keemat: They Are Back
1998 Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha
1998 Barood
1998 Wajood
1998 Salaam Bombay!
1998 Dahek: A Burning Passion
1999 Hu Tu Tu
1999 Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
1999 Holy Smoke
1999 Baadshah
2000 Mela
2000 Khauff
2000 Jung
2000 Josh
2000 Mission Kashmir
2000 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
2000 Raju Chacha
2001 One 2 Ka 4
2001 Lagaan
2002 Pitaah
2002 Filhaal...
2002 Devdas
2002 The Legend of Bhagat Singh
2002 Annarth
2003 Ek Hindustani
2003 Chupke Se
2003 Taj Mahal: A Monument of Love
2003 Munnabhai M.B.B.S.
2006 The Memsahib
2006 Lage Raho Munna Bhai
2006 Jaane Hoga Kya
2007 Gandhi, My Father
2007 Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal
2008 Y.M.I. Yeh Mera India
2008 God Tussi Great Ho
2008 Dostana
2008 Saas Bahu Aur Sensex
2008 Little Zizou
2009 Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur TV series
2009 What's Your Raashee?
2009 Jail
2010 Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
2011 Balgandharva
2019 Panipat [19]

As production designer

[edit | edit source]
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

[edit | edit source]

National Film Award for Best Art Direction

[edit | edit source]
Year Film Notes
1999 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
2000 Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
2002 Lagaan
2003 Devdas

Filmfare Best Art Direction

[edit | edit source]
Year Film Notes
1995 1942: A Love Story
1997 Khamoshi
2003 Devdas [20]

IFA Best Art Direction Award

[edit | edit source]
Year Film Notes
2009 Jodhaa Akbar

Screen Awards – Best Art Direction

[edit | edit source]
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 | edit source]
Year Film Notes
2009 Harishchandrachi Factory [23]

Genie Award for Best Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design

[edit | edit source]
Film Notes
19th Genie Awards: Such a Long Journey: Nominated

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Art Director Nitin Desai accredited for his long career International Reporter, MIL/TNN, 19 January 2008.
  2. ^ Mammoth crowd turns up for premiere in Kutch[dead link] Screen, 22 November 2002.
  3. ^ Nitin Desai on Bollywood, ND Studio and much more CNN IBN, 10 May 2008.
  4. ^ Nitin Desai's Movie Studio: A Tour Business of Cinema, Rohini Bhandari, 9 March 2007.
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ a b c The art and craft of Nitin Desai Rediff.com, 18 January 2003.
  8. ^ Nitin Chandrakant DESAI India: Jodhaa Akbar Asian Film Awards.
  9. ^ I often build my dreams through my sets: Nitin Chadrakant Desai Realbollywood, 3 March 2009.
  10. ^ Game, set, movie: Nitin Desai, who created the sets for “Slumdog Millionaire”... The Hindu, 24 January 2009.
  11. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ^ Hollywood productions to be filmed at ND studios Agencies Screen, 30 April 2008.
  13. ^ Aesthetic matters: Art director-turned-television producer Nitin Desai.. Deccan Herald.
  14. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ^ Awards for Nitin Chandrakant Desai at IMDb
  21. ^ 1994–2000 Awards Screen.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ Harishchandrachi Factory is India's Oscar entry The Times of India, Chitra Nair, TNN 21 September 2009. "46th Maharashtra State Film Awards.."
[edit | edit source]

Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 153: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

Retrieved from "http://70.231.62.181/index.php?title=Nitin_Chandrakant_Desai&oldid=3252550"