ND Studio Karjat Now Under Government Management After Nitin Desai’s Passing

Mumbai, 29th November 2024: The iconic ND Studio in Karjat, established by the late art director Nitin Desai, has officially been taken over by the Maharashtra government. The management of the studio has been entrusted to the Maharashtra Film, Theatre, and Cultural Development Corporation, which operates Chitranagari in Goregaon.

The decision follows the approval of a restructuring plan submitted by the corporation to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on November 14, 2024. Under the new arrangement, the corporation will oversee daily operations, security, filming activities, revenue generation, and accounting for the studio.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department, Vikas Kharge, visited ND Studio on Thursday to inspect its operations. He was accompanied by Swati Mhase Patil, Managing Director of Maharashtra Film, Theatre, and Cultural Development Corporation, who will lead the studio’s administration under the guidance of Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari.

The inspection team included prominent officials such as Joint Managing Director Dr. Dhananjay Sawalkar, Deputy Secretary Mahesh Vhaval, Chief Accounts and Finance Officer Chitralekha Khatu-Raorane, Special Executive Officer Sanjay Krishnaji Patil, and Room Officer Aniruddha Deshpande.

ND Studio has long been a centre of attraction in Karjat, following Chitranagari in Goregaon, for hosting numerous Bollywood film shoots and serving as a popular destination for film enthusiasts. However, the studio faced a tragic setback when its founder, Nitin Desai, died by suicide in 2023, reportedly due to mounting debts. Prior to his death, Desai had appealed to the government to take over the studio to preserve its legacy.

The takeover has been welcomed by various sections of society, who had expressed a strong desire to prevent the demolition of this landmark. The government’s intervention ensures that ND Studio will continue to serve as a vital hub for Maharashtra’s film and cultural industries.