New Delhi: Celebrated art director Nitin Desai was found hanging at his studio on Wednesday. His untimely death has come as a shock to many in the industry. Desai has reportedly defaulted on a Rs. 252 crore loan, and a bankruptcy court had admitted an insolvency petition against his company last week.


According to police sources, an audio file that mentions four names was found on the deceased's phone. An investigation has begun about the alleged names. The four people could be the reason why Nitin found himself under pressure.


A forensic team has taken Nitin's phone for examination. Police will soon summon those four people whose names have been found on the audio file in Nitin's phone.


Desai's body was found at the ND Studio premises on Wednesday morning, and he is suspected to have committed suicide. The exact reasons which led him to the extreme step are not known.


As per sources, Nitin had borrowed a loan of Rs 180 crore, which with interest rates applied, had gone up to Rs. 250 crore.


According to PTI, Desai's company, ND's Art World Pvt Ltd, had borrowed Rs 185 crore through two loans from ECL Finance in 2016 and 2018, and troubles with repayments started from January 2020.


Nitin Desai’s demise comes soon before his 58th birthday, which would have been celebrated on August 9. 


Celebrities such as  Riteish Deshmukh, Siddhartha Basu, Ashutosh Gowarikar, and Neil Nitin Mukesh on Wednesday paid tributes to renowned art director Nitin Desai, calling him a "genius" and a "positive soul".


Basu, who worked with Desai on popular reality shows such as "Kaun Banega Crorepati" and "Dus Ka Dum", said he was shocked to hear about the passing of his "friend and artistic collaborator".


"He made sets for so many of our shows - KBC, Kamzor Kadi, Heartbeat, Bluffmaster, Dus ka Dum, Sach ka Saamna.. Conjuring world class installations on an industrial scale. Om shanti," Basu wrote on Twitter.


Desai was known for his art work in films such as "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", "Lagaan", "Jodhaa Akbar" and "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo". In his career spanning over 30 years, Desai closely worked with directors like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani, and Ashutosh Gowariker.


Neil said it is difficult to accept the heartbreaking news of Desai's death. The late art director worked on "Jail", the 2009 film starring the actor.


"Our beloved #nitindesai has left for his heavenly abode. He was simply a genius. A visionary artist with grace, style who understood not just his craft but people. He was a positive soul who spread only love to all. My God give his family strength. Om Shanti," he wrote on the microblogging site.  Actor Riteish Deshmukh remembered Desai as a soft-spoken visionary.


"Deeply shocked to know that #NitinDesai, a legendary Production Designer who has contributed immensely to the growth of Indian cinema in no more. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. I had known him for years.. soft spoken, humble, ambitious & a visionary… you will be missed my friend. Om Shanti (sic)," Deshmukh tweeted.


Actor Parineeti Chopra said she was "heartbroken" to hear the news.  "His groundbreaking work, wisdom and artistry will be remembered forever. Rest in peace sir," she wrote. 


( with inputs from PTI)