Mythri Movie Makers, Pradeep Ranganathan-starrer Dude, have decided to sttle a copyright dispute with veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja. The production house has agreed to compensate the musician Rs 50 lakh for using his work in the film without permission. Following the settlement recorded by Madras High Court, the matter was formally closed. Dude makers settle dispute with Ilaiyaraaja According to a PTI report, the settlement was presented to Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, who accepted the joint memorandum dated November 28, 2025. The judge, while closing the case, noted, “I find no legal impediment for decreeing the suit in terms thereof." Notably, the latest agreement comes after a similar previous conflict between the composer and the same production house over Ajith Kumar’s Good Bad Ugly. In the earlier case, Ilaiyaraaja had secured an order that led to streaming platforms removing his songs from the film’s Netflix release. About the Ilaiyaraaja-Dude dispute The issue started after the makers included Ilaiyaraaja’s popular tracks Nooru Varusham and Karutha Machan in the film without the composer’s approval. Karutha Machan was originally created for Bharathiraja’s Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991); however, it was featured in a wedding sequence in Dude, prompting Ilaiyaraaja to take legal action alleging copyright infringement. The dispute extended beyond India after Ilaiyaraaja filed proceedings in the United States against Sony Music Entertainment India, Echo Recording Company, and Oriental Records. He accused them of unauthorised use of Karutha Machan. The music composer's team claimed a lack of response from Sony Music even as the film continues to run with the song. The track is used in a comedic interval sequence performed by Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju. Ilaiyaraaja had previously raised objections to Mythri Movie Makers for allegedly incorporating several of his classic compositions in Good Bad Ugly too without permission, including Otha Rubayum Tharen, Ilamai Idho Idho, and En Jodi Manja Kuruvi. Dude emerged as one of Tamil cinema’s biggest hits of 2025 when it released and went on to earn around Rs 100 crore at the box office. The romantic comedy-drama is helmed by Keerthiswaran, marking Pradeep Ranganathan’s return. Meanwhile, the 82-year-old composer remains one of the most influential figures in Indian film music.
05 December,2025 04:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Allu Arjun expressed his gratitude to the movie buffs for making his film Pushpa: The Rule a phenomenal success as it completed one year of release on December 4. His latest social media post read, "PUSHPA an unforgettable journey of five years in our life. This movie audience has given us such immense love, strength, and courage to dive deeper into our crafts. We will always be grateful to everyone in this country and beyond for making it a phenomenon (sic)." Allu Arjun further thanked all those who were a part of this 5-year-long journey, including director Sukumar, co-star Arya, producers, distributors, and technicians for their contribution to the project. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allu Arjun (@alluarjunonline) Calling working with them an 'honour', Allu Arjun added, "It’s my honour to have walked this journey with all my artists, technicians, the whole unit, producers, distributors & of course the captain aryasukku garu. I thank each and everyone of you in this journey. With a heart full of gratitude once again … THANK YOU (Folded hands emoji) Pushpa Pushpa2 pushpa2therule." Continuing to expand its reach, Pushpa 2 will be released in Japan on January 16 next year. Geek Pictures India, the banner responsible for distributing the film in Japan, took to its official X (previously known as Twitter) timeline and shared, "Konnichiwa, Nihon no Tomo yo’ Indian Cinema’s Industry Hit blazes into Japan in full force! Pushpa Raj takes over Japan on 16th January, 2026, taking the wildfire across borders and seas. Pushpa2inJapan Pushpa2TheRule PushpaKunrin WildFirePushpa (sic)." Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, along with Sukumar Writings, the sequel takes forward the journey of Pushpa Raj (Played by Allu Arjun), a labourer-turned-red sandalwood smuggler, amidst growing threats from his enemies, including SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Played by Fahadh Faasil ). The second installment in the franchise after Pushpa: The Rise (2021) features Allu Arjun in the titular role, along with Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, and Rao Ramesh as the primary cast. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 December,2025 02:09 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSNandamuri Balakrishna's much-anticipated Telugu sequel, Akhanda 2, has been in talks ever since the first glimpse released. From a legal issue with Eros to the premiere getting cancelled, the film has hit several roadblocks ahead of release. Now, as per the latest update, the film is not releasing as per schedule on December 5 due to unforeseen circumstances. The news was shared by the production house on their social media handle. Nandamuri Balakrishna's Akhanda 2 release postponed Their X post read, "With a heavy heart, we regret to inform you that #Akhanda2 will not be releasing as scheduled due to unavoidable circumstances. This is a painful moment for us, and we truly understand the disappointment it brings to every fan and movie lover awaiting the film. We are working tirelessly to resolve the matter at the earliest. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused. Your support means the world to us. We promise to share a positive update very soon (sic)." With a heavy heart, we regret to inform you that #Akhanda2 will not be releasing as scheduled due to unavoidable circumstances.This is a painful moment for us, and we truly understand the disappointment it brings to every fan and movie lover awaiting the film.We are working… — 14 Reels Plus (@14ReelsPlus) December 4, 2025 This update comes after the makers shared that the premiere was cancelled. It was reported on Saturday that the film had completed its censor formalities and that it had been cleared for release with a runtime of 166 minutes (2 hours and 44 minutes). On Sunday, the makers of the film confirmed the development, announcing that the Censor Board had cleared the film's release with a U/A certificate. About Akhanda 2 legal feud In Tamil Nadu, the film faced uncertainty due to a court dispute with Eros International Media Limited. The legal proceedings culminated in a Madras High Court order restraining the release of the film. The case stems from a prolonged legal dispute over a previous arbitration decision that went in favour of Eros, entitling the company to nearly ₹28 crore along with 14 per cent interest, as reported by Cinema Express. About the movie The newly released teaser shows the country's enemies conspiring to strike at India's roots. The teaser then shows Balakrishna, dressed as a sadhu, saying, "Where there is a bad, parallely, there is a God! Be brave," in his typical inimitable style. It is evident from the teaser that Balakrishna's character will take on both the country's enemies and the ungodly forces looking to disrupt peace and harmony in the nation in Akhanda 2: Thaandavam. The film is directed by Boyapati Sreenu and features Samyuktha as the female lead, with Aadhi Pinisetty playing a powerful role, and Harshali Malhotra in a key character.
05 December,2025 10:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNandamuri Balakrishna's much-awaited film Akhanda 2: Thaandavam has faced another setback, just a day before its release. The makers of the film announced that the premiere shows of the Boyapeti Sreenu directorial in India that had been scheduled for Thursday had been cancelled due to technical issues. Premiere shows of Akhanda 2: Thaandavam cancelled Taking to their X (formerly Twitter) account, 14 Reels Plus, the production house that has produced the film, wrote, "Akhanda2 Premieres in India scheduled for today are cancelled due to technical issues. We've tried our best, but a few things are beyond our control. Sorry for the inconvenience. The overseas premieres will play as per the schedule today." The film has garnered huge expectations from the audience. The film was recently cleared by the Censor Board for release with a U/A certificate. After completing its censor formalities, Akhanda 2 had been cleared for release with a run time of 166 minutes (2 hours and 44 minutes). Despite the setback at the premiere shows, the film is scheduled to hit screens on December 5, 2025. About Akhanda 2: Thaandavam Produced on an ambitious scale by Raam Achanta and Gopichand Achanta under the 14 Reels Plus banner, the project is being presented by M Tejaswini Nandamuri. The sequel, sources claim, will be a grand cinematic spectacle, with Boyapati Sreenu crafting a larger-than-life narrative on an even more expansive canvas. S Thaman's rousing background score is expected to elevate the film's high-voltage scenes, delivering the signature adrenaline rush fans anticipate. Balakrishna's fierce and spiritually charged avatar has already impressed fans, masses, and movie buffs alike. The film features Samyuktha as the female lead, with Aadhi Pinisetty playing a powerful role, and Harshali Malhotra a key character. C. Ramprasad and Santoshh D Detakae are the cinematographers who have worked on the film, with Tammiraju being in charge of editing. A teaser released by the makers a few days ago shows the country's enemies conspiring to strike at India's roots. The teaser then shows Balakrishna, who is dressed as a sadhu, saying, "Where there is a bad, parallely, there is a God! Be brave." in his typical inimitable style. It reinforces what the trailer showcased, that Balakrishna has a divine force operating from within him and that he takes on powerful black magic sorcerers aiding India's enemies. The teaser him gives a glimpse of the exciting action sequences awaiting audiences in the film. It is evident from the teaser that Balakrishna's character will take on both the country's enemies and the ungodly forces looking to disrupt the peace and harmony in the nation in Akhanda 2: Thaandavam.
04 December,2025 10:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe row around the certification of the Malayalam film Haal intensifies. After the Kerala High Court announced its verdict on the censor row of the Shane Nigam-starrer, the Union Government has challenged it. On Thursday, Centre filed an appeal before the Kerala High Court challenging its single bench judgment that quashed the 'A' certificate and mandated cuts imposed on the Malayalam film. Centre challenges court order The Union Government has filed the appeal along with the Regional Officer, Chairman and Revising Committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In its plea, the Centre argued that the Single Bench should not have entertained the filmmaker's petition under Article 226 of the Constitution in the presence of a statutory appeal mechanism available under the Cinematograph Act. The government maintained that the CBFC's A-certificate was justified, given the "overall impact" of the film and its portrayal of interfaith relationships. According to the appeal, the theme and treatment of the subject required mature audiences. HC highlights lack of guidelines A Division Bench comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan took up both appeals together on Thursday. The Centre raised the maintainability objection, contending that the writ petition itself ought not to have been admitted. The Bench observed that the absence of specific High Court Rules governing appeals from CBFC orders had created a procedural vacuum. "There must be some provision in the Rules of the High Court... Since there is no provision and Rules have not been framed, the only remedy available is under Article 226," the Bench said orally. The judges indicated that they would direct the Registrar General to take steps to frame rules and set a nomenclature for such appeals so that future challenges to CBFC decisions can be properly entertained. A detailed hearing, however, was postponed after counsel for the filmmakers sought adjournment. On Thursday, Justice Dharmadhikari remarked in open court, "We saw the movie yesterday. I enjoyed it. I understood at least 50 per cent, because of the subtitles." The matter will be taken up again on December 8. What the CBFC demanded The CBFC directed producer Juby Thomas to implement several cuts before certifying Haal. These include removing a song where Maria uses Muslim attire to hide her identity, deleting scenes stereotyping communities, and dropping dialogues referencing Kannadigas and those affecting Christian sentiments. The Board also sought removal of court-related documents, and dialogues or visuals seen as derogatory to cultural organisations, including references to “dhwaj pranam,” “Ganapathi vattam,” and “sangham kavalund.” It further demanded deletion of beef biriyani scenes and blurring of Rakhi visuals. Challenging the order, the filmmakers approached the High Court, arguing the cuts undermine the film’s narrative and artistic freedom.
04 December,2025 07:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA year ago, on December 4, the team of Pushpa 2 was enthusiastically gearing up for the release of the Allu Arjun-starrer. The stage was set, and a grand fan premiere was arranged in Hyderabad the evening before its theatrical release. However, things took a turn for the worse and a stampede broke out outside the theatre as the lead actor made an appearance. A woman lost her life in the stampede, and her son was hospitalised in critical condition. The child, Sritej, 8, is still recovering, and his family is struggling financially. Stampede victim's father shares update on son Sritej was critically injured during the stampede that claimed his mother's life. He was hospitalised for 146 days at KIMS Hospital and was later moved to a neuro-rehabilitation centre for continued care. A year after the tragic night, Sritej's father, Magudampalli Bhaskar, spoke to ABN about their current situation. He stated that his son requires Rs 90,000 every month for treatment, apart from additional expenses. Bhaskar said that even after a year, his son cannot eat, drink, or breathe properly on his own. He used to work at a gold shop but had to quit to look after his son. He said all of his son's medical needs amount to around Rs 1.25 lakh per month. Bhaskar also confirmed that Allu Arjun made a deposit of Rs 2 crore, but the interest isn’t covering their ever-increasing expenses. He revealed that he tried reaching out to the Pushpa 2 star and his team for further assistance, as they had promised to take care of Sritej’s treatment and recovery. He added that Rs 3 lakh was spent on his son’s leg surgeries alone this year. The father claimed he did not receive any response from the actor or his team. Allu Arjun’s team reacts Producer Bunny Vyas recently addressed the matter at a press event on Thursday. When asked if the claims of Allu Arjun ignoring Sritej’s father were true, he said, “This is not the stage, please. There are many pedda manushulu (respectable people) in between. Anything that we’re doing, we’re doing it through Dil Raju garu.” He further explained that Allu Arjun has no direct contact with them, but the victim’s family can reach out to people close to the actor. “Keeping aside whether we managed to satisfy them or not, we are following particular guidelines. We are determining where the fund should be allocated, including its use for medical purposes and other considerations. We put a system in place. If they are dissatisfied or the money isn’t enough, they can speak to the pedda manushulu. We will correct any issues that need attention. It’s not a direct thing,” said the producer. Financial aid provided by Allu Arjun and team After the stampede, Allu Arjun’s father, producer Allu Aravind, announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 crore for the victim’s family. This includes Rs 1 crore from the actor and Rs 50 lakh each from producers Mythri Movie Makers and director Sukumar. Telangana Film Development Corporation (TGFDC) chairman and producer Dil Raju was appointed as mediator to hand over the amount. The actor also promised to cover the victim’s medical expenses.
04 December,2025 05:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAce cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palaash Muchhal’s wedding postponement has been making noise, even though the couple has not spoken about it. The two were set to tie the knot on November 23 in Sangli. However, it was postponed on the day of the ceremony after Smriti’s father fell sick and was hospitalised. Even Palash was taken to the hospital for stress-related distress. While everyone has been discharged and is recovering, there is still no update on the wedding. Meanwhile, social media is abuzz with theories of a cheating scandal with Palash as the accused. Amid this, the event company that organised the wedding has broken its silence. Event company pens note While the post was shared by the event company a day after the actual wedding date, it has now gone viral on social media. The post from the company read:"We don't cross the finish line in every match of life that we play, but it's always the sportsman spirit that counts… Our team played hard, with joy and pride, and they all certainly deserve a mention! Will see you soon, champion." Smriti Mandhana and Palaash Muchhal's wedding controversy Palaash and Smriti’s wedding was scheduled to take place on November 23, 2025. However, on the day of the wedding, Smriti’s father reportedly experienced heart-attack-like symptoms and was rushed to the hospital. Due to her father’s ill health, the wedding was postponed indefinitely. Later, reports emerged that Palaash too faced a health issue and was hospitalised. He was brought back to Mumbai to continue his treatment, while Smriti and her family stayed back in Sangli. Palak Muchhal, Palaash’s sister, shared a statement confirming the news of the wedding being postponed. She wrote on social media, "Due to Smriti’s dad’s health, Smriti and Palash’s wedding has been put on hold. Would request all of you to respect the privacy of the family in this sensitive time." Soon, Reddit users began claiming that Palaash cheated on Smriti with a choreographer the night before the wedding. Following the chatter, Smriti deleted all her wedding and engagement posts on Instagram, which led netizens to believe that the cheating rumours may be true. So far, neither Palaash nor Smriti, nor their teams, have shared any statement about the postponement of the wedding or addressed the social media speculations.
04 December,2025 04:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran producer AVM Saravanan passed away early on Thursday at the age of 86. The force behind the iconic AVM Studios, his demise truly marked the end of an era for the Tamil film industry. Many celebrities arrived at AVM Studios on Thursday morning to pay their last respects, including Tamil superstars Rajinikanth and Suriya. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also paid his respects to the late producer. Suriya tears up Visuals of Suriya arriving at the studio with his father, Sivakumar, have surfaced on social media. Both looked devastated as they arrived to pay their respects. Suriya was seen standing with his hands folded in front of the producer's mortal remains. The actor broke down in tears as he could no longer hold back his emotions upon seeing Saravanan for the last time. 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 Rajinikanth pays tribute to AVM Saravanan Speaking to the media after paying his last respects to the veteran producer, whose demise marks the end of an era for the Indian film industry, Rajinikanth said, “He was a truly great person. He was the perfect example of a gentleman. He would always wear white, and his heart was just as pure. He loved cinema with all his heart. Even if he spoke for just a few minutes, he would mention his father, whom he fondly called ‘Appachi,’ several times.” #SuperstarRajinikanth pays homage to Late Legendary Producer #AVMSaravanan pic.twitter.com/teUhY6t23X — Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) December 4, 2025 The actor went on to share details of the special relationship he shared with the iconic producer, known for his kindness and humility. Rajinikanth added, “He loved me a lot and was a true well-wisher. He stood by me during difficult times. I have acted in nine films for AVM, and all nine became big hits. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the main reason they succeeded was Saravanan sir.” He continued, “In the eighties, there was Murattu Kalai, made on a grand scale in Tamil. In the 2000s, there was Sivaji, also made on a grand scale. Similarly, he was in talks with me to make another film in the 2020s, but that didn’t happen.” Expressing his grief, Rajinikanth said, “I offer my deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.” About AVM Saravanan AVM Saravanan, who had celebrated his birthday just a day earlier, leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as the driving force behind numerous iconic films produced under the prestigious AVM banner. His contributions shaped generations of cinema and earned him immense admiration across the industry. News of his passing plunged the Tamil film industry into gloom, with several production houses cancelling scheduled events as a mark of respect to a man regarded as a visionary, mentor, and pioneer of Tamil cinema.
04 December,2025 03:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnnouncing that he had completed the shooting of his portions in director Anil Ravipudi's much-awaited mass family entertainer Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Telugu star Venkatesh on Wednesday said that it was an absolute joy to work with Megastar Chiranjeevi in the film and that this was something that was long overdue. Taking to his X timeline to make the announcement, Venkatesh, who is one of the top Telugu stars, wrote, "Wrapped up my part today for ManaShankaraVaraPrasadGaru, and what an incredible experience it has been! Working with my favourite KChiruTweets was an absolute joy and this film has left me with so many lovely memories. It was long overdue to share the screen with ‘Megastar Chiranjeevi’, and I’m so glad AnilRavipudi finally brought us together for this special film. Can’t wait to celebrate Sankranthi 2026 with all of you in theatres!" Wrapped up my part today for #ManaShankaraVaraPrasadGaru, and what an incredible experience it has been! Working with my favourite @KChiruTweets was an absolute joy and this film has left me with so many lovely memories. It was long overdue to share the screen with ‘Megastar… pic.twitter.com/KAzWcXGBeK — Venkatesh Daggubati (@VenkyMama) December 3, 2025 It may be recalled that only recently, the makers of the film, featuring Mega star Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara in the lead, had begun filming a song number featuring Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh together. Sources close to the unit had said the stylish dance number on Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh was shot in Gachibowli. Interestingly, it will be for the first time ever that Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh will be seen shaking a leg together in a grand celebration number. The two top stars will be seen dancing to Bheems Ceciroleo's perfect dance number with electrifying beats, sources had claimed and added that the song featured over 500 dancers, who had turned the set into a carnival of colour, rhythm, and vibe while the song was being shot. The sources had also pointed out that the explosive energy, nonstop cheers, and magical camaraderie between the two stars in the dance number were likely to make it a favourite of fans and movie buffs. The film, which was initially being referred to as Mega157, has triggered huge expectations, as after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Godfather, Nayanthara will be seen sharing screen space with Chiranjeevi for the third time in this film. One other reason for fans to be excited about this film is that actor Venkatesh plays a cameo in the film. This will be the first time that actors Venkatesh and Chiranjeevi will be seen appearing together in a film. Backed by producers Sahu Garapati and Sushmita Konidela under Shine Screens and Gold Box Entertainments, with Smt. Archana presenting, the film boasts top-tier technical talent. Bheems Ceciroleo has been entrusted with the task of scoring music for this eagerly awaited entertainer while Sameer Reddy has been appointed cinematographer. Editing for the film is by Tammiraju and A S Prakash its art director. S Krishna is the executive producer of the film, the story of which has been co-written by S Krishna and G Adi Narayana. The film is scheduled to release for Sankranti 2026. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2025 01:51 PM IST | Hyderabad | IANSDirector Sukumar's blockbuster film Pushpa 2: The Rule, featuring actors Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil in the lead, is to release in Japan on January 16 next year. Geek Pictures India, which is distributing the film in Japan, took to its X timeline to make the announcement. It wrote, "'Konnichiwa, Nihon no Tomo yo' Indian Cinema’s Industry Hit blazes into Japan in full force! Pushpa Raj takes over Japan on 16th January, 2026, taking the wildfire across borders and seas. Pushpa2inJapan Pushpa2TheRule PushpaKunrin WildFirePushpa." Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who plays the female lead in the superhit franchise, also tweeted about the film's release on her X timeline and shared the link to the Japanese trailer of the film. She wrote, "Konnichiwa, Japan!! Aaaand the wildfire is officially going global..Pushpa lands in Japan on 16th Jan 2026... Are you ready?? Watch the full Japanese trailer here! Pushpa2inJapan Pushpa2TheRule PushpaKunrin WildFirePushpa IconStar alluarjun FahadhFaasil aryasukku SukumarWritings MythriOfficial ThisIsDSP resulp TSeries PushpaMovie pushpa_kunrin AAFilmsIndia Japan Distribution: Geek Pictures Shochiku geekpicturesIN Arjunarcv mokshamodgill." For the unaware, director Sukumar's Pushpa 2: The Rule emerged as a huge blockbuster, completing a triumphant 50-day run in theatres. It emerged as the biggest film of 2024, setting unparalleled examples of success since its release. From winning the hearts of the audience to breaking box office records, the film left its mark everywhere. Not only did it inaugurate the over Rs 800 Crore club in Hindi, but it also crossed the ₹1800 Crore mark worldwide, making it India's biggest and highest-earning film. It may be recalled that the makers had also released a reloaded version from January 17 this year, which had an additional 20 minutes of footage of the film. Interestingly, the reloaded version was to be first released on January 11. Pushpa 2: The Rule, featuring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, is a gripping story that revolves around Pushpa Raj -- a man who, after having had everything taken away from him, decides that he will not lose anything more in life to anyone. The story tells Pushpa's rise to the heights of power by becoming the head of a powerful syndicate that illegally deals in red sandalwood. The film, which has three parts, was produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings with music on T Series. The second part was released on December 5, 2024. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2025 12:07 PM IST | Chennai | IANSA.V.M. Saravanan, veteran film producer and managing force behind the iconic AVM Studios, passed away early Thursday morning at the age of 86 due to age-related ailments. He had been under treatment for several months and breathed his last at 5.30 a.m. at his residence inside the AVM Studio premises in Chennai. Saravanan, the third son of legendary filmmaker A.V. Meiyappan Chettiar, took over the reins of AVM Productions in 1958 and went on to become one of the most influential figures in Tamil cinema. After Meiyappan Chettiar, it was Saravanan who steered the company into its most successful decades, producing films that shaped the careers of major stars and strengthened AVM’s reputation as one of India’s oldest and most trusted production houses. Under his leadership, AVM produced several landmark films, including Naanum Oru Penn, Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, Sivaji, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, Minsara Kanavu, and Ayan. Many of these films set new benchmarks in quality, commercial success, and technical innovation. Industry insiders often credit Saravanan for nurturing the early careers of superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, providing them with platforms that elevated them to national fame. In recent years, Saravanan had been battling declining health and was unable to walk for nearly two years. He had undergone treatment at a private hospital a month ago and was later shifted to his home at the AVM Studio campus, where he spent his final days under medical supervision. His passing comes just a day after his 86th birthday, adding emotional weight to an already sombre moment for the Tamil film fraternity. His body will be kept for public homage on the third floor of AVM Studios until 4 p.m. The funeral will take place at the AVM Electric Crematorium this evening. AVM, which has given Indian cinema countless memorable films and legendary artists, is currently managed by Saravanan’s son, M.S. Kugan, ensuring that the illustrious legacy continues. The Tamil film industry, fans, and cultural icons have begun expressing their condolences, remembering Saravanan as a visionary who combined tradition with innovation and helped shape modern Tamil cinema for more than six decades. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2025 12:03 PM IST | Chennai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
-1764867001274_d.png "Akhanda 2")
