AVM Saravanan advised me to do one film every year: Rajinikanth

Legendary Tamil film producer AVM Saravanan passed away on December 4, 2025, and on January 4, actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan attended the unveiling of his portrait at his school in Virugambakkam. Rajinikanth became visibly emotional while recalling his long association with the veteran producer.Speaking at the event, Rajinikanth reminisced about first seeing AVM Saravanan in 1975 and later working with him on Murattu Kaalai (1980), a landmark film that marked AVM Productions’ return after an eight-year gap. Recalling how he went to meet Saravanan at his office for the first time, Rajinikanth shared, “His office was extremely clean, neatly decorated, and filled with a sense of positivity. I have visited many politicians’, industrialists’, and even multi-billionaires’ offices, but I have never seen anything like that.”Rajinikanth revealed that he worked in 11 films with AVM Saravanan and praised the producer’s deep understanding of cinema. “He arranged everything sitting right there in his office — analysing screenplay, music, editing, and giving inputs on all aspects,” he said.Overcome with emotion, the actor added, “Saravanan sir was a great man. Time takes away the people we love, respect, and admire very quickly. Even if you have money, family, name, or fame, when such people leave, you feel orphaned.”