Actor Aamir Khan was among the select people from the Hindi film industry who attended production designer Nitin Desai’s last rites in Karjat, Maharashtra. Desai, who allegedly died by suicide on Wednesday, had been a part of various big-ticket films such as Lagaan (2001), Devdas (2002) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008), among others. 

When the media present at the funeral asked about the absence of many from the film fraternity at the venue, the 58-year-old replied, “Shayad kuch log nahin aa paaye honge alag wajah se. I am sure, sabke dil mein unke liye ek bahut hi khaas jagah hai.”

Offering his condolences to Desai’s family, Khan said, “This is very shocking news. I am unable to understand how this happened. I can’t believe it. I wish he had not done this and reached out for help instead. But what can we say in such a tragic situation? It is very difficult to understand what has happened. We have lost someone who was very talented. Unki family ko main dhairya rakhne ko kahunga.” 

Filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Madhur Bhandarkar were also present at the funeral.