Nostalgic Ruminations
of an epic journey Producers are the backbone of every film industry. That the cast and crew are what make up the visual limb of a movie’s production is a fact indeed most significant. But without the finance and support of a producer, their presence would be rendered redundant. In the second part of this unique series on pioneering South Indian film producers, Shankaran Malini speaks to producer AVM Saravanan
On a sunny afternoon at AVM Productions, the oldest surviving studio in India, it was time for a tête-à-tête with the man at the helm of affairs there, M Saravanan. The renowned banner has produced 175 films and over 13000 television serial episodes till date. With plenty of hits to its credit, and a presence on the small screen as well, the production house is nearly 68 years old. Almost all the stars and superstars of the current and the previous generations have, at some point or the other in their careers, had a connection with AVM.
“We said that only if they bought it, would we give them a Kamal film or a Rajini film. That’s when they said they would take it just as a gift cheque for an upcoming blockbuster” 42
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