AVM Saravanan Passes Away; Rajinikanth Shares a Heartfelt Tribute to His Longtime Mentor

AVM Saravanan, the legendary producer who carried forward the iconic legacy of A.V.M. Studios, passed away on December 4 after years of ill health, leaving the Tamil film industry in deep sorrow. The studio, founded by A.V.M. Meiyappa Chettiar, has long been a cornerstone of Indian cinema, celebrated for its innovation, technical excellence, and high-quality productions. Saravanan, who took charge after Meiyappa Chettiar, strengthened this legacy and helped Tamil cinema scale new creative and technological heights.

Saravanan’s mortal remains were placed on the third floor of AVM Studios for public homage. Leaders, actors, and dignitaries from various fields gathered to pay their respects. Among them was superstar Rajinikanth, who shared an exceptionally emotional tribute, remembering his decades-long bond with the veteran producer.

“Saravanan sir truly embodied the word ‘gentleman’. He wore only white, and his mind was just as pure,” Rajinikanth said, visibly shaken. Recalling their close relationship, he shared that Saravanan affectionately remembered his father in every conversation and extended that same warmth to him. “When I was going through a difficult phase, he was the first to stand by me. His affection for me cannot be described in words.”

Rajinikanth also highlighted their nine-film collaboration under the AVM banner, noting that every one of those projects became a success—proof of their creative synergy and trust. Reflecting on Saravanan’s visionary thinking, he said, “He was the man behind monumental films of their time—Murattukkalai in the 80s, Sivaji in the 2000s. We even discussed working together again in the 2020s, but fate had other plans.”

Expressing profound grief, Rajinikanth concluded with a prayer for Saravanan’s soul and heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.