AVM Productions Veteran producer
M. Saravanan breathed his last in Chennai on December 4, 2025. He was 86. According to his family the cause for the death is age-related health issues at his residence. It’s learnt that his mortal remains has been placed at the AVM Studios campus in Vadapalani for people to pay their last respects to the departed noble soul.
Saravanan was the son of A. V. Meiyappan, founder of AVM. He matured around the studio, stepped into the work when he was young and took charge following his father’s death in 1979. Over the decades he kept AVM moving and helped it stay one of India’s most trusted production houses.
He oversaw work across languages and played a key role in shaping AVM’s Tamil output. He was involved in films like Yajaman (1993), Sakthivel (1994), Minsara Kanavu (1997), Thirupathi (2006), Sivaji: The Boss (2007) and Ayan (2009). These films helped cement AVM’s place in mainstream Tamil cinema.
His work also reached Telugu audiences through Bhakta Prahlada (1967), Mooga Nomu (1969) and Aa Okkati Adakku (1992), which helped the studio find its footing beyond Tamil Nadu.
Saravanan was acknowledged for backing new talent and keeping the studio steady through transforming times. In recent years he stepped away from daily work, but AVM continued to stand as a major landmark and shooting hub in Chennai.
His passing closes a major chapter- its End of An Era.
For more than fifty years he helped carry forward the identity of India’s oldest surviving film studio and left behind work that still shapes South Indian cinema.
Industry members and fans congregated at AVM Studios through the day. Funeral details are awaited.
RIP M Saravanan
News Edit KV Raman