AVM Saravanan passes away at 86; CM Stalin, Rajnikanth and film stars offer condolences

A.V.M. Saravanan, legendary Tamil film producer and a key figure behind the historic AVM Studios, passed away early Thursday morning (December 4, 2025) at the age of 86 due to age-related ailments. He had been under treatment for several months and died at 5.30 a.m. at his residence inside the AVM Studio premises in Chennai.

Who is AVM Saravanan?

Born in 1939, Saravanan was the third son of filmmaker A.V. Meiyappan Chettiar, the founder of AVM Productions. He formally took charge of AVM in 1958 and went on to oversee several of the studio’s most productive decades. Under his leadership, AVM strengthened its position as one of India’s oldest and most enduring film production houses.


Saravanan was involved in the production of several landmark Tamil films, including Naanum Oru Penn, Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, Sivaji, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, Minsara Kanavu, and Ayan. Many of these films achieved significant commercial success and were noted for their production values and technical scale. His tenure at AVM also coincided with periods when major stars such as Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan appeared in several of the studio’s notable projects.

In recent years, Saravanan faced persistent health challenges and had been unable to walk for nearly two years. He underwent treatment at a private hospital a month ago and was later moved back to his home at the AVM Studio campus, where he spent his final days under medical supervision.

His death comes one day after his 86th birthday. His body will be kept for public homage on the third floor of AVM Studios until 4 p.m., and the funeral is scheduled to be held at the AVM Electric Crematorium this evening.

AVM Productions, which has played a central role in Tamil cinema for decades, is currently managed by Saravanan’s son, M.S. Kugan, continuing the legacy established by A.V. Meiyappan and carried forward by Saravanan across more than six decades.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin offered his condolences to the AVM family and members of the film fraternity on social media over the death of AVM Saravanan.

TN Chief Minister Stalin's post in X (formerly twitter):

In his message, he described Saravanan as one of the senior most figures of Tamil cinema and how he played an extraordinary role in shaping the direction of AVM Productions, just as the studio itself had played a major part in defining the path of Tamil cinema. He noted that Saravanan upheld the legacy of his father, A. V. Meiyappan, who was affectionately called “Appachi” in the industry. Stalin also recalled the long association between AVM Productions and the Dravidian movement, through films such as “Ore Iravu,” “Parasakthi,” and “Kuladeivam.” Stalin reminisced about meeting Saravanan during his visit to the AVM Heritage Museum in May 2023, remembering him as a gentle and humble personality.

Rajnikanth paid his last respects at the studio. He expressed his deepest condolences to the family and spoke to the media about how Saravanan had a heart as white as the clothes he wore and how he always gave him support during rough times. Not just Rajnikanth, entire film fraternity has gathered to pay their last respects at AVM studio mourning the death of the legendary film producer.