M Saravanan, a respected producer in the Tamil film industry and the head of AVM Studios, passed away on Thursday morning from an illness related to old age. A prominent figure in the world of Tamil cinema, Saravanan (86) was known for his modesty and was often seen in white attire with folded hands.

Saravanan, also known as AVM Saravanan, was born in 1939 and along with his brother M Balasubramanian, he began assisting their father AV Meiyappan in running the production house during the 1950s.

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Following their father's passing, Saravanan assumed control of the studio in the late 1970s. During one of his initial projects as head of AVM, Saravanan supported the movie Murattu Kalai, which was pivotal in propelling Superstar Rajinikanth's career.

Rajinikanth subsequently starred in more than 8 films produced by AVM. In the same era, AVM produced the film Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, which became the inaugural Tamil movie to receive the National Film Award in the category of 'Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.'

Saravanan, with the help of AVM, is often recognized for being instrumental in the success of well-known actors such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan, Suriya, Vikram, and others.

 

In 2022, the production company also ventured into producing their first web-series project through Saravanan's granddaughters, Aruna Guhan and Aparna Guhan.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin personally expressed his sympathies, emphasizing the significant contributions of Saravanan in guiding AVM and AVM Studios in the evolution of Tamil cinema.

Stalin, along with Rajinikanth, actors Suriya, and Sivakumar, visited AVM Studios to pay their respects. Stalin noted that AVM Saravanan was known for his quiet and unassuming demeanor, and he added that the producer was known for treating those around him with care and compassion. The Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the late veteran in the film industry.

He is acknowledged in the industry for remaining steadfast and adhering to AVM's fundamental principles amidst the changing landscape of the film industry.

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In his role as a producer, he maintained a strong rapport with distributors and made sure to prioritize their interests. L Suresh of Ananda Pictures, a distributor and close colleague of AVM Saravanan, described him as a true gentleman who cared about ensuring that everyone involved in a project, from the street vendors to the distributors, profited.  Saravanan is survived by his son, MS Guhan, who is also a producer, and his daughter Usha.