MUMBAI: Film producer and former director of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Jagat Murari passed away on 15 April in Pune.

Murari, who was 85, studied filmmaking in the US before joining the Films Division in India where he worked in various capacities before taking up the FTII assignment.

He worked as lecturer in FTII between 1962-72 and later became its director between 1976 and 1979.

Murari had won the President’s gold medal for his film Mahabalipuram. He also produced many documentaries for Films Division and was appointed selector at various international film festivals.

Among the film personalities who have been Murari’s students at FTII, are Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Adoor Gopalkrishnan and Subhash Ghai, says a release.