M Saravanan, who took over the AVM Productions in Chennai after his father AV Meiyappan's demise and produced many blockbusters over at least four decades, died at 86 on December 4 owing to age-related issues.

Saravanan, popularly known as AVM Saravanan, is widely considered one of the pioneers of Tamil cinema and has produced hits such as Naanum Oru Penn (remade in Hindi as Main Bhi Ladki Hoon), Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, Minsara Kanavu (Sapnay in Hindi), Sivaji: The Boss, Vettaikaran, Leader and Ayan, among others.

Many leading actors have delivered some of the biggest hits of their careers under the AVM banner, such as Rajinikanth's Sivaji: The Boss (2007), Kamal Haasan's Sakalakala Vallavan (1982), Vijay's Vettaikaran (20029) and Suriya's Ayan (2009) or Vikram's Gemini (2002).

AVM's Raja Chinna Roja (1989), starring Rajinikanth, Gautami and Raghuvaran, is widely considered the first Indian movie to feature animation alongside live action.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin was among the dignitaries to pay his respects to Saravanan. He was followed by actors Rajinikanth, Sivakumar and Suriya, who have all starred in AVM's productions.

Saravanan's body will be kept for public viewing until 3.30 PM at the AVM Studios for the public to pay respects, India Today reported.

Superstar Rajinikanth, after paying his respects to the veteran film producer, told reporters that Saravanan was the ultimate gentleman. "His dresses were always (in) white and so was his heart," the actor said. "He loved cinema as much as his life."

Recollecting incidents from his life, Rajinikanth said that Saravanan stood through thick and thin during some of the actor's toughest moments. Beginning with Rajinikanth's initial hits as solo hero, such as the critically acclaimed Murattu Kaalai (1980) to Sivaji, AVM has helmed as many as nine movies of the superstar.

"If all of my movies with AVM turned out to be huge successes at the box office, the main reason behind them has to be Saravanan," he said.

Saravanan also served as the sheriff of Madras in 1986. He is survived by his son MS Guhan, also a film producer, and grand-daughters Aruna Guhan and Aparna Guhan.

Founded in 1945 by Saravanan's father AV Meiyappan, AVM Productions is one of India's oldest film production houses, and has made movies in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Bengali. It has also introduced stars such as Sivaji Ganesan, Rajkumar, SS Rajendran, Vyjayanthimala and Kamal Haasan.

The "AVM globe" located at the entrance of the studio remains a landmark in Chennai to this day and has even featured in many movies.

Towards the new millennium and beyond, AVM Productions switched to making tele-serials and web series.

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