Nitin Chandrakant Desai, Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Nitin Chandrakant Desai is an Indian art director, production designer, actor, and producer. He is prominently known for his exceptional set designs and visual aesthetics that have been featured in numerous Bollywood films including ‘Lagaan’ (2001), ‘Devdas’ (2002), ‘Swades’ (2004), ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ (2008), and ‘Panipat’ (2019).

Wiki/Biography

Nitin Chandrakant Desai was born in Mulund, Mumbai. He completed his schooling at a Marathi medium school named Wamanrao Muranjan High School (now Wamanrao Muranjan Madhyamik Vidyalaya & Junior College) in Mulund, Mumbai. He later studied photography at the J.J. School of Art and L.S.Raheja School of Arts, in Mumbai.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
Eye Colour: Black
Nitin Chandrakant Desai with Akshay Kumar

Family

Parents & Siblings

There is not much information about his parents and siblings.

Wife & Children

He is married to Meena Chandrakant Desai.
A family photograph of Nitin Chandrakant Desai

Religion

He follows Hinduism.
Nitin Chandrakant Desai performing Yagya at his studio

Career

Art Director and Production Designer

Nitin Chandrakant Desai started his career by joining Mumbai’s Film City Studios in May 1987, where he quickly transitioned from taking 2-D still photos to working in the 3-D field of art direction. In the same year, he worked as a fourth assistant to renowned art director Nitish Roy on the television film ‘Tamas’ (1987). He has worked as a fourth assistant on the TV series ‘Kabir’ for five and a half years. In 1991, he assisted the art director Nitish Roy on the TV series ‘Chanakya’ for the first 25 episodes, and from the 26th episode onwards, he took over as an independent art director.
Poster of the TV series ‘Chanakya’
In 1993, he debuted in the film industry as an art director with the film ‘Bhookamp;’ however, he got recognition after working on the film ‘1942: A Love Story’ (1944). In 2008, he created two sets for the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ including a different set for the scene ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati.’ He has worked as an art director and production designer in various blockbuster films including ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ (1999), ‘Lagaan’ (2001), ‘Devdas’ (2002), ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ (2006), and ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal’ (2007).
Poster of the film ‘Lagaan’
Apart from films and TV series, he has also worked as a production designer for the Hindi language web series ‘Paurashpur’ (2020), which premiered on ZEE5 and ALT Balaji.

Producer

Nitin Chandrakant Desai turned into a film producer with the devotional film ‘Desh Devi Maa Ashapura’ in 2003. In 2008, he produced the Marathi TV show ‘Raja Shivchatrapati’ on Star Pravah, which later became one of the super hit shows of that time. The show was re-broadcast in April 2020 during the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Poster of the TV Series ‘Raja Shivchatrapati’
In 2009, he produced the Hindi-language historical drama TV series ‘Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur,’ which aired on Sony Entertainment Television. In 2011, he produced the Marathi-language biographical film ‘Balgandharva.’ He also directed the film. He later produced a reality TV show ‘Marathi Paul Padte Pudhe,’ which is based on the concept of the show is similar to ‘America’s Got Talent.’ In 2018, he produced the Marathi film ‘Truckbhar Swapna.’

Actor

Nitin Chandrakant Desai debuted as an actor with the Hindi TV show ‘Hum Sab Ek Hain’ (1998) on SAB TV. He played his first lead role in the Marathi language film ‘Hello Jai Hind!’ in 2011. In the same year, he played the role of Lokmanya Tilak in the Marathi-language biographical film ‘Balgandharva.’

Controversy

Alleged of cheating advertisement agencies

In 2018, Rakesh Shinde, owner of Vihang Digital World filed a complaint against Desai at Vartak Nagar police station for not paying him Rs 51.7 lakh for three months of work. He also alleged that the cheques he received from Desai were either bounced or from bank accounts that were no longer active. However, in an interview, Desai denied the allegations and said that he will take legal action against Shinde for making false allegations against him. He said,
the complainant had made such false allegations earlier too. We will take legal action against him.”
Reportedly, there was one more complaint against him in the same case. Another complainant, Dev Kate, owner of an advertising agency, has claimed that Desai owes him Rs 1 crore for work that was completed.

Awards, Honours, Achievements

Screen Award for Best Art Direction

  • For ‘1942: A Love Story’ in 1994
  • For ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’ in 1996
  • For ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ in 1999
  • For ‘Gandhi, My Father’ in 2008

Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction

  • For ‘1942: A Love Story’ in 1995
  • For ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’ in 1997

National Film Award for Best Art Direction

  • For ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’ in 1999
  • For ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ in 2000

IIFA Best Art Direction Award

  • For ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ in 2009

Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Art Direction

  • For ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ in 2009

Genie Award for Best Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design

  • Nominated for ‘Such a Long Journey’ in 1998
    Nitin Chandrakant with his awards

Facts/Trivia

  • In 2005, he established ND Studios, located on the outskirts of Mumbai in Karjat. The studio covers an extensive area of 52 acres (21 hectares). However, Reliance Entertainment later acquired a 50 per cent stake in the studio for approximately Rs 1.50 billion. The studio is known for its extensive and grand sets, making it an appealing destination for both domestic and international productions.
  • After Reliance Entertainment acquired a 50% stake in Big ND Studio, the US-based film studio ’20th Century Fox’ signed a 10-year agreement to rent four floors at the studio. Walt Disney has also signed a deal to shoot at the same studio for 10 weeks.
  • In 2022, Desai’s ND Studios hosted the four-day mega event ‘Maha-Utsav’ from April 28th to May 1st, celebrating Maharashtra’s rich culture, art, tradition, taste, and vibrant colours in honour of the 62nd anniversary of the state’s formation.
    Nitin Chandrakant Desai at Maha-Utsav at ND studio

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