Art director Nitin Desai, who constructed the grand visual architecture of new millennium classics such as Lagaan (2001) and Devdas (2002), and had four national awards to his credit, was found dead at his studio in Karjat near Mumbai on Wednesday. He was 57. “He was found hanging by a rope at 9 am. We have asked for cyber forensics and fingerprints experts and the body has been sent to JJ Hospital for postmortem. The case is being investigated from all angles,” Somnath Gharge, superintendent of police, Raigad, told reporters.

No suicide note has been found, but police are examining audio clips of conversations between Desai and his manager. A case of accidental death has also been registered.

The sprawling N D Studios, spread over 52 acres, is located about 100 kms from Mumbai. Desai had an unresolved financial debt of Rs 252 crores, and a bankruptcy court had initiated insolvency proceedings against his company last week. The Covid lockdown had wrought a downturn in revenue as big budget productions with lavish sets declined in number.

Independent MLA Mahesh Baldi said, “Desai was in deep financial trouble and that could be the reason for him taking the drastic step of ending his life. I had met Desai 2 months ago when he told me about his financial problem.”

Desai’s death sent shockwaves across the film world. “Stunned. Shocked. No words,” texted Ashutosh Gowariker, who worked with him in Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar. Several stars as well as television personalities also posted tributes on social media.