M. Saravanan, the veteran Tamil cinema producer and owner of AVM Studios, passed away in Chennai on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the age of 86 due to age-related illness. Born in 1939, Saravanan, also known as AVM Saravanan, was the son of A.V. Meiyappan, the founder of AVM Productions. He is survived by his son M.S. Guhan, also a producer, and daughter Usha.

Saravanan, along with his brother M. Balasubramanian, assisted their father in managing AVM Studios since the 1950s. He took over the studio in 1979 after his father's death, guiding AVM into some of its most successful eras throughout the 80s and 90s. Under his leadership, AVM Productions became synonymous with quality filmmaking and was responsible for several influential works.

Saravanan's career spanned generations, and he produced acclaimed films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi languages. Some of his notable works include Naanum Oru Penn (1963), Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986), Minsara Kanavu (1997), Sivaji: The Boss (2007), Vettaikaran (2009), and Ayan (2009).

Saravanan's filmography stretches across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. His choices in storytelling and production helped shape the careers of several actors, and he is often credited with playing a crucial role in the early journeys of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. AVM offered them platforms that helped transform them into household names across the country. His productions earned respect and admiration from filmmakers, actors, and technicians alike.

In 1986, Saravanan also served as the Sheriff of Madras, reflecting his stature beyond cinema.

While AVM substantially reduced its feature film offering after 2010, the studio continued to adapt to changing times, shifting its focus to OTT and advertising. In 2022, the banner bankrolled its first web series, Tamil Rockerz, for Sony LIV.

Saravanan had been battling age-related health issues and had been unable to walk for nearly two years. After a recent hospital stay, he returned home to the studio premises, where he remained under medical care. His death, which occurred just a day after his 86th birthday, has deeply saddened the Tamil film fraternity.

Condolences have poured in from across the film industry, with many remembering Saravanan as a visionary who balanced tradition and modern thinking, and whose influence on Tamil cinema will endure for generations. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed that Saravanan's AVM Production had a long bond with the Dravidian movement's cinematic journey. Stalin visited AVM Studios to pay his respects to the family. Governor RN Ravi described Saravanan's death as a "significant loss to the cultural and creative landscape" of the state. Actor Vishal also shared his condolences, recollecting his experiences with Saravanan since childhood and acknowledging AVM Studios as a learning ground.

Saravanan's body will be kept for public homage at AVM Studios until 3:30 pm on Thursday. The funeral is scheduled for this evening at the AVM Electric Crematorium.