AVM Saravanan passes away at 86: Suriya breaks down, Rajinikanth pays emotional tribute to late legendary producer – Watch video
Tamil cinema came to a standstill as the industry bid farewell to veteran producer AVM Saravanan, whose legacy shaped generations of stars and films.
The Tamil film industry woke up to a wave of grief on December 4, just a day after producer AVM Saravanan celebrated his 86th birthday. His death in the early hours of Tuesday triggered an immediate outpouring of tributes, with social media filling up with memories, condolences, and old photographs honouring the man who shaped some of the most important chapters in South India(BHARAT)n cinema.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin arrived at AVM Studios to pay his respects, joining a steady stream of actors, directors, and well-wishers who gathered to honour the producer whose work spanned decades.
#Sivakumar Iyya & @Suriya_offl na paid tearful final respects to the legendary AVM Saravanan Sir
Forever grateful for your cinematic legacy #RIPAVMSaravanan pic.twitter.com/1bxOec5WYI
— Ayan Suriya (@AyanSuriya_offl) December 4, 2025
How did Kollywood react to his passing?
Among the first to reach the studio were Suriya and his father, veteran actor Sivakumar. The two were seen visibly shaken, with pictures showing Suriya folding his hands near Saravanan’s body and wiping away tears. Their presence reflected the deep bond the industry shared with the producer.
A separate video captured Rajinikanth walking into the studio, sombre and silent. After paying his respects, he addressed the media with emotion. “He was a wonderful person. I acted in 9 films under the AVM banner, and all of them were hits. He had immense faith in me and stood by me in my difficult times.”
The superstar’s words echoed the sentiments of countless industry members who credit Saravanan for spotting talent long before the world did.
Other familiar faces—Vishal, Easwari Rao, Kanchana, Mohan Raja, Parthiban, and many more- arrived throughout the day, turning AVM Studios into a space of shared remembrance.
Veteran Actor #Sivakumar and Actor @Suriya_offl pay their homage to Late Legendary Producer #AVMSaravanan pic.twitter.com/3oHkzyNOs7
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) December 4, 2025
What made AVM Saravanan a towering figure?
Founded in 1945 by AV Meiyappan, AVM Studios stands as one of India(BHARAT)’s oldest and most respected film production houses. After Meiyappan’s passing, Saravanan and his brother M. Balasubramanian carried the legacy forward, steering the banner into a new era.
Their bold decision to cast Rajinikanth in Murattu Kaalai (1980) became a defining moment, helping cement the actor’s rise to superstardom. The studios also launched Kamal Haasan as a child actor in Kalathur Kannamma (1960), a performance that won him the President’s Gold Medal.
As news of Saravanan’s passing spread, several Kollywood events and announcements were postponed in respect for the veteran.
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