Veteran producer AVM Saravanan dies at 86 leaving six-decade legacy

Veteran film producer and AVM Studios chief M Saravanan(86), one of Indian cinema’s most enduring figures, died in Chennai on Thursday due to age-related ailments. His body was kept at AVM Studios for the public to pay homage, where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin arrived in person to offer floral tributes.

Stalin later wrote on X that Saravanan carried himself with “tranquility and simplicity,” and said AVM, under his guidance, became a cultural pillar closely linked with the Dravidian movement. He recalled AVM’s historic association with landmark works such as Annadurai’s Oar Iravu, Karunanidhi’s Parasakthi and Murasoli Maran’s Kuladeivam, noting that professional respect evolved into a deep personal bond between the AVM family and his own.

Along with his brother M Balasubramanian, Saravanan helped define the shape of commercial Tamil cinema from the 1950s onwards. Films such as Naanum Oru Penn in 1963 and Samsaram Adhu Minsaram in 1986 earned critical recognition while breaking new ground in mainstream storytelling. When AVM re-entered Tamil cinema after a lengthy break, the brothers placed a decisive bet on Rajinikanth, casting him in Murattu Kaalai in 1980. The film became the highest-grossing Tamil release of its time and played a defining role in establishing Rajinikanth as a superstar.he produced iconic Rajinikanth blockbusters including Baashha (1995) and Sivaji: The Boss (2007), while Vikram’s Gemini (2002) became another major hit under AVM. These films reinforced AVM’s reputation as one of Tamil cinema’s top production houses.

AVM also made major contributions to Telugu cinema. Some of its most notable Telugu productions under Saravanan’s leadership include Missamma (1955), Bhale Ramudu (1956), Sabhash Ramudu (1959), Adrushtadeepudu (1969), the blockbuster Prema Nagar (1971), the Bhookailas remake in 1980, and the 1975 family entertainer Samsaram.

Kamal Haasan, too, began his acting journey under AVM. He debuted as a child actor in the 1960 classic Kalathur Kannamma, winning the President’s Gold Medal for Best Child Actor. Saravanan’s reach extended beyond cinema as well; he served as Sheriff of Madras in 1986, underscoring the respect he commanded across fields.

Speaking to reporters after paying homage, Rajinikanth said all nine films he made with AVM were hits, crediting Saravanan’s clarity and love for cinema. He added that Saravanan had long wished to make another grand film with him, a dream left unrealised.

Actor Sivakumar, who arrived with his son Suriya, said Saravanan introduced generations of stars including Vyjayanthimala, Sivaji Ganesan, Haasan and himself. He recalled speaking to Saravanan just ten days earlier and said the veteran passed away peacefully after living a rich, full life.

In a statement, Tamil Film Producers’ Council President N Ramasami and other council members likened Saravanan’s death to the fall of a “banyan tree.” They highlighted his role in AVM’s production of more than 150 films featuring legends such as MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth, Ajith, Bhagyaraj and Pandiarajan, along with several acclaimed small-budget films that set industry benchmarks.

Directors, actors and producers from across the film fraternity paid their respects in large numbers. Along with Stalin, political leaders including MDMK chief Vaiko also visited the studio to honour the iconic producer whose legacy shaped South Indian cinema for more than six decades.