Pune, April 16 (PTI): Noted film producer and former director of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Jagat Murari has died.

He died here yesterday and was 85.

Murari who studied film making in the US, joined Films Division in India where he worked in various capacities before taking up the FTII assignment. He worked as lecturer in the premier institute between 1962-72 and later became its director from 1976-79.

An acclaimed director, Murari had won the President's gold medal for his film 'Mahabalipuram'. He also produced many documentaries for Films Division and worked as selector at various international film festivals.

Some of the eminent film personalities who were Murari's students at FTII included Jaya Bhaduri, Shabana Azmi, Adoor Gopalkrishnan and Subhash Ghai.