Nitin Desai's ND Studio Taken Over By Maharashtra Film Corporation

ND Studio in Karjat, Maharashtra, built by the late art director Nitin Desai, has been taken over by the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation for operations, reported PTI. Additional Chief Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department, Vikas Kharge visited the studio on Thursday, November 28 and inspected its operations. 

As per an official statement, "From now onwards, the operations of N D Studio will be carried out under the guidance of Managing Director Swati Mhase Patil''. The statement further said that as the National Company Law Tribunal approved the Resolution Plan submitted by the MFSCDC on November 14, 2024, ''the day-to-day administration, security, filming, revenue generation, accounting related activities of ND Studio will continue under the control of the corporation on behalf of the government''. 

During the inspection of the studio, Vikas Kharge interacted with its officers and employees to understand the regular working procedures.  

To ensure coordination in administrative and developmental work, a Special Action Team has been formed under the supervision of the Managing Director. This team will include Joint Managing Director Coordinator, Special Executive Officer Deputy Coordinator, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and others. Experts from the fields of finance, law, IT, human resources, etc are also in the team. 

The press release also stated that currently, Joint Managing Director Dr Dhananjay Sawalkar and Special Executive Officer Sanjay Krishnaji Patil will look after the administrative work under the guidance of Managing Director Swati Mhase Patil.

Nitin Desai who set up ND Studio in 2005, committed suicide on August 2, 2023. He worked with filmmakers like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lagaan, Devdas, Jodhaa Akbar and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo among others are some of his best works as art director. Desai bagged three Filmfare Awards for Best Art Direction and four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction.