Political leaders, artistes pay tribute to veteran Tamil cinema producer AVM Saravanan

Political leaders and cine artistes paid tributes to veteran Tamil cinema producer and owner of AVM Studios, M. Saravanan, who passed away on Thursday (December 4, 2025) morning due to an age-related illness. He was 86.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, MDMK founder Vaiko, and actors Rajinikanth and Sivakumar were among those who visited AVM Studios on Thursday morning and paid floral tributes.

In his condolence message, Mr. Stalin hailed Mr. Saravanan’s leadership of AVM Studios and recalled the long association between the studio and the Dravidian movement – from C.N. Annadurai’s Or Iravu and M. Karunanidhi’s Parasakthi to Murasoli Maran’s Kula Deivam.

Minister M.P. Saminathan said that Mr. Saravanan took after his father, the late producer A.V. Meiyappan, and led AVM Studios in making great movies not only in Tamil but also in other languages. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said Mr. Saravanan’s death was a huge and irreparable loss. 

Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam recalled that Mr. Saravanan had great respect for the late AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. He added that Mr. Saravanan’s death was a huge and irreparable loss to Tamil Nadu as well as to Tamil cinema. MDMK founder Vaiko said that Mr. Saravanan’s legacy would continue to live on in the film industry.

‘Stood by me during tough times’

Actor Rajinikanth said: “He was a great man. Saravanan sir was a classic example of a gentleman. Like his attire, his heart was white too. He loved cinema with all his heart. He liked me a lot. He was my well-wisher. He stood by me during my tough times. I have acted in nine films with AVM and all of them were a hit. It will not be an exaggeration to say he was the main reason for that. His death affects me a lot. May his soul rest in peace.”

On behalf of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), its president K. Selvaperunthagai condoled Mr. Saravanan’s death and said that the veteran producer shouldered the tradition and reputation of Tamil cinema. The movies he produced remain in the hearts of generations, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said.

In his condolence message, BJP’s State unit president Nainar Nagenthran said the death of Mr. Saravanan was saddening, and that his contributions to the progress of Tamil cinema spanning half a century and in producing many talents spread across generations would remain in memory forever.

PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss condoled Mr. Saravanan’s death and said he was instrumental in many innovations and the entry of many talents into Tamil cinema. Mr. Saravanan was known for his patience, humility, and simplicity, Mr. Anbumani said.

AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran condoled Mr. Saravanan’s death and recalled that he had earned the respect of late leaders and former Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. Actor Sivakumar paid his respects and said: “This organisation [AVM] introduced me in 1965. My name was Palanisamy. It was Saravanan sir who changed it to Sivakumar. In his memory, I named my son [actor Surya] Saravanan.”