TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains mention of death.Veteran producer AVM Saravanan, the torchbearer of AVM Productions, passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 86 due to age-related ailments. As reported by India Today, Saravanan’s body will be kept for public homage until 3:30 pm today at AVM Studios, 3rd floor, Chennai, allowing friends, family, colleagues and fans to bid a final goodbye to the celebrated producer who shaped generations of cinema.
The legacy of AVM Saravanan
Born in 1939, M Saravanan was the son of AV Meiyappan, the pioneering founder of AVM Productions. He took charge of the studio in the late 1950s alongside his brother M Balasubramanian. Saravanan expanded its reach and reputation. From early classics such as ‘Nandakumar’ (1937), ‘Sabapathy’ (1941) and ‘Naam Iruvar’ (1947) to landmark works in the 1950s like ‘Andha Naal’ (1954) and ‘Penn’ (1954), AVM has bankrolled several classics.Tributes are flooding in all over on social media. One Twitter user wrote, “RIP #AVMSaravanan . A titan of the film industry who led #AVM studios for decades with competence and grace. Always dignified in his interactions.” Another one wrote, “Rest in Peace AVM Saravanan.” Another one wrote, “The legendary producer #MSaravanan of #AVMStudios has passed away early this morning in Chennai.. A big loss to the movie industry.. A humble gentleman.. RIP!.”AVM continued its journey across the modern era as well, backing projects such as ‘Leader’ (2010) in Telugu and ‘Idhuvum Kadandhu Pogum’ (2014). Saravanan also served as the Sheriff of Madras in 1986.
Family mourns, industry remembers
Saravanan is survived by his son M S Guhan, himself a leading producer, and his granddaughters Aruna Guhan and Aparna Guhan. Aruna continues to preserve AVM’s legacy as partner and creative director.Some of the other popular films backed by the production house are ‘Bomma Borusa’, ‘Chitti Chellelu’, ‘Anadhai Anandhan’, ‘Nomu’, ‘Soorakottai Singakutti ‘, ‘Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu’, ‘Anbulla Appa’, ‘Per Sollum Pillai’, ‘Baamma Maata Bangaru Baata’, and ‘Minsara Kanavu’.
