Mumbai, Aug 2 (IANS): The sudden death of renowned art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai due to suspected suicide, has left many Ganeshotsav Mandals in the city stunned and at a loss for words, here on Wednesday.

Besides making his artistic mark in Bollywood, television and mega-events, Desai, 57, was also much sought after by various organisations and marquees putting up lavish Ganeshotsav sets for the state’s biggest 10-day public festival starting on Sep. 19.

The BrihanMumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS) President Naresh Dahibhavkar said he was shocked to learn of Desai’s passing and remembered him as “a warm, amiable person who would mingle with all” whenever he visited Ganeshotsav sets.

Among the thousands of big and small organisations celebrating Ganeshotsav, he was in great demand and booked well in advance for milestone celebrations like silver, golden, diamond, platinum or centenary years of the mandals.

As far as the biggest and richest, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal (LRSGM), celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, Desai was “like a family member”, a devotee here and a familiar sight for the committee members every year.

LRSGM Secretary Sudhir Salvi said that Desai had been designing the opulent sets of Lalbaugcha Raja since 2008 and “would put his heart and soul” into the efforts each year.

“Only three days ago (July 30), he was here to discuss and finalise our celebration's theme design for 2023. He appeared very normal, interacted with all of us in a friendly manner… He never displayed any ‘attitude’ despite being internationally reputed,” Dalvi told IANS.

This year, the LRSGM had planned to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Coronation of Chhatrapati Maharaj as its Ganeshotsav theme.

“He came and spent a couple of hours, listened carefully to our theme, ideas and then came up with his own creative inputs, suggesting passionately rather than pushing his thoughts. As in the past, the final design would be decided in a consensus and all would be pleased with the outcome,” said Dalvi.

The fate of this year’s plans hang in balance now and Dalvi said the final call shall be taken by the LRSGM soon.

A former office-bearer of a Kandivali Mandal said they had hired Desai’s services to design their silver jubilee set a few years ago.

“His creation left the devotees astounded and spellbound... The creativity, colours, the presentation, and impact are still remembered,” said the office-bearer, declining to be quoted.

A Bollywood producer said that the Ganeshotsav festival – which falls in monsoon – suited Desai’s schedules well as it was a slack season for most film shoots which opted to shoot in foreign locales or other studios in the country.

Desai, was found hanging in a case of suspected suicide at his N.D. Studios in Karjat, Raigad early on Wednesday, official sources said.

The end came just three days before Desai’ 58th birthday on Sunday (Aug. 6), even as top Bollywood personalities mourned his sudden demise.

Police have lodged an accidental death report, but after a purported ‘recorded suicide’ was found, there’s likelihood of foul-play and it be properly investigated after registering a first information report (FIR).

As per certain unconfirmed reports, Desai has named some businessmen allegedly harassing him and financial issues could have led him to take the ultimate step.

Much-awarded and honoured, Desai ranked among the top-rung art directors in the country, and was born in Dapoli (Ratnagiri), and the end came just 4 days before his 58th birthday (Sunday, Aug. 6).

Over the past nearly four decades, he served as the creative director for major films like “Devdas”, “Lagaan”, “Jodhaa Akbar”, “Harishchandra Chi Factory”, “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”, etc.