AVM’s Saravanan passes away at 85

M Saravanan, the veteran film producer who steered the legendary AVM Productions after the passing of his father A V Meiyappan, died in Chennai on Thursday following age-related complications. He was 85.According to information,Saravanan breathed his last at 5.30 am, and his body has been placed for public homage on the third floor of AVM Studios in Vadapalani one of the earliest film studios established in the erstwhile Madras Presidency. He is survived by his son, M S Guhan.
Under Saravanan’s leadership, AVM Productions continued to shape South Indian cinema across languages. It was under the AVM banner that Kannada icon Dr Rajkumar made his on-screen debut in the 1954 classic Bedara Kannappa, which became the first Kannada film to win a National Award for Best Feature Film. While AVM was primarily known for its Tamil and Telugu productions, the studio also made several notable Kannada films over the decades.Saravanan’s career spanned generations, having collaborated with five eras of Tamil cinema legends from M G Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan to Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, and later stars. His association with Rajinikanth was particularly special, with AVM producing nine hit films featuring the superstar. Rajinikanth often addressed Saravanan affectionately as his “mudalali” (owner) in public appearances, reflecting their deep bond.Such was their relationship that when AVM approached Rajinikanth for Sivaji in 2007 in an effort to revive the studio’s momentum, the actor agreed to do the film for an advance of just Rs1,000. Saravanan was also known for nurturing a generation of filmmakers, including S P Muthuraman, who played a pivotal role in shaping Rajinikanth’s rise to superstardom.
A soft-spoken and humble figure in the industry, Saravanan continued producing films until 2014. Over time, the AVM Group underwent a division between him and his brother Balasubramanian, who later expanded into real estate. Much of the once-bustling AVM Studios complex, which hosted countless industry stalwarts, has since been transformed into upscale residential apartments.Saravanan leaves behind a rich legacy that deeply influenced South Indian cinema and helped shape some of its most iconic stars and films.