Tamil Cinema Loses a Titan: Veteran Producer AVM Saravanan Passes Away at 86

New Delhi, December 04, 2025: The world of Indian cinema is mourning the loss of one of its most respected figures, veteran film producer AVM Saravanan. The torchbearer of the iconic AVM Productions, he passed away in Chennai on Thursday morning, December 4, 2025, due to age-related ailments. He was 86.

His passing marks the end of an era for the legendary AVM Studios, a name synonymous with quality filmmaking and technological advancement in South India.

A Storied Legacy in Film

Born in 1939, M. Saravanan was the son of A. V. Meiyappan, the pioneering founder of AVM Productions in 1945. Taking charge of the studio in the late 1950s alongside his brother M. Balasubramanian, Saravanan dedicated over half a century to expanding the studio’s reach and reputation.

Under his stewardship, AVM Productions became a powerhouse, consistently delivering box-office hits and critically acclaimed films across multiple languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. His production house had the unique distinction of launching or featuring some of the biggest stars in Indian cinema.

• Launchpad for Legends: AVM Productions provided actor Kamal Haasan with his debut as a child artist in Kalathur Kannamma (1960). Later, in 1980, they cast Rajinikanth in his first film for the banner, Murattu Kaalai, which was instrumental in establishing him as a superstar.
• Blockbuster Hits: His filmography includes some of the most memorable movies that shaped modern Tamil cinema, such as the National Award-winning family drama Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986), the musical hit Minsara Kanavu (1997), and the colossal blockbuster Sivaji: The Boss (2007), starring Rajinikanth. Other major films include Patti Sollai Thattathe and Ayan.

Saravanan was known for his humble, disciplined, and visionary approach to filmmaking, a philosophy that ensured the AVM banner maintained its prestige for generations.

Tributes Pour in from Film and Politics

The news of AVM Saravanan’s demise has sent shockwaves through the film and political fraternities, with many expressing their profound sadness and paying heartfelt tributes.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin visited the studios to pay his last respects, acknowledging Saravanan’s irreplaceable role in the film industry’s journey.

Superstar Rajinikanth, who shares a long history of successful collaborations with the producer, expressed his deep grief. “He loved cinema wholeheartedly,” Rajinikanth said, recalling their nine hit films together and how Saravanan was his constant well-wisher.

The veteran producer’s mortal remains have been placed for public homage at AVM Studios in Chennai, allowing friends, family, industry colleagues, and fans to bid their final farewell. The final rites are scheduled to be held later this afternoon.

AVM Saravanan is survived by his son, M. S. Guhan, who is also a leading producer, and his granddaughters, Aruna Guhan and Aparna Guhan, who continue to preserve the family’s iconic legacy in cinema.