On the 96th annual Oscar night which was held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, US, during movie industry’s tribute to late Nitin Desai, a career phenomenon and a Bollywood legend, a number of prominent people delivered speeches. Desai, a very popular art director who had received a prize after his death for his notable work in the field of cinema that is mostly remembered for his participation in acclaimed films such as Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar, is an honor.
A Legendary Career:
Nitin Desai spent most of his life as a creative genius in film industry and still he is considered one of the pillars of Indian film industry. Sharing the screen with highly regarded directors like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Desai’s extraordinary performances added depth and beauty to multitudes of cinematic capitalizations.
Iconic Contributions:
On the other hand, the work of Desai is characterized by a rich diversity of his films, all of which are distinguished by his outstanding precision of setting , his unmistakable and visionary way of portraying a story. A remarkable feat from grandest ‘Lagaan’ to richness of ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, his art direction was a main aspect that brought the tales of different films on screen. Besides, Desai’s works on movies involving ‘Devdas’, ‘Munnabhai MBBS’, ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ as well, all attested to the fact that he is a real genius of the cinematography.
Establishing ND Studios:
In 2005, Nitin Desai came up with his dream project of building ND Studios which is the largest production house in India, located in Karjat and is at a traveling distance of approximately 47 kilometres from Mumbai. In addition to this modern studio, the place now became the center of the arts and many filmmakers both local and foreign drove in to the place to learn the trade. Celebrity productions scheduled to date on the ND Sets such as ‘Jodha Akbar’, ‘Traffic Signal’ and the widely renowned reality show ‘Big Boss’ is the definitive proof of Dheva’s undeniable experience in the industry.
Venturing into Production:
Beyond being a creative and successful art director, Nitin Desai started the movie production sector and, thereby, tried his hand in the business world. The year 2002 witnessed a new venture in production when he produced “Devdas” Another accomplishment is that the movie has proved Desai’s devotion to mirroring real life issues that open up large possibilities of cinematic exploration.
Legacy and Impact:
When Nitin Desai passed away earlier than expected, film fraternity lost not only a member but the great influences of his artistic legacy to the younger students in filming and art. His unmatched achievements marked by imagination, storytelling, passion, and innovation take us to a distant era when he ruled the world of Indian cinema as a magician. With deep sadness, Desai’s legacy lives on as many remember him for the lasting impression he made within the film industry.
Investigations and Remembering Nitin Desai:
Even as the light of Desai’s legacy continues to afflict, the very situations surrounding his death are still ringed in mystery. In spite of what people say about his death, the investigations by local agencies have revealed that it is even a much complex issue than it would be if he had committed suicide. That film society is deeply mindful of the loss of such a giant of cinema, the wake of his immense talents can be felt. At the same time, his legacy is kept alive through the power of his efforts.
In the final, the Netflix documentary about Nitin Desai’s death at 2015 Academy Awards’ 96th edition is a heartwarming reminder of his heritage in Indian cinema. While multifaceted, essence of Desai was vision, creativity, and heart to reach beyond the apparent; his art lives with the audiences forever. As the world of entertainment pays respects for his memory, his gifts are destined to shine in cinema’s future for years to come.
-Nithika suresh