M Saravanan, producer and owner of AVM Studios passes away

CHENNAI: M Saravanan, owner of AVM Studios, one of the country’s oldest film studio and producer, passed away at the age of 86. He died early Thursday morning in Chennai due to old age issues. He is widely known as AVM Saravanan.

Saravanan, the third son of film producer A V Meiyappan Chettiar, took over the reins of AVM Studios in 1958. Within a few years, he became one of the most influential figures in the Tamil film industry.

Saravanan celebrated his 86th birthday yesterday. His body will be kept at the AVM Studio for the people to pay homage till 4 pm today and after that will be laid to rest at the AVM Electric Crematorium.

Saravanan has produced films of superstars MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. AVM has produced superhit films like Naanum Oru Penn, Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, Sivaji; The Boss, Vettaikaran, Minsara Kanavu, Ayan etc. He also held the honorary title of 'Sharif' of the city of Madras in 1986. He is survived by his son M S Guhan, also a film producer.