A. V. Meiyappan

A. V. Meiyappan Biography

A. V. Meiyappan, shortly called AVM is a film producer and entrepreneur who established AVM Productions in Vadapalani, Chennai - the oldest surviving studio in India, which has stood for 5 decades and three generations and successfully running till now. AVM studio has produced 170 films till now. One of the pioneers of Indian filmmaking, his name is always taken aside ace filmmakers of south Indian film industry - S. S. Vasan and L. V. Prasad. He played a significant role in establishing many prominent names in Tamil cinema. Apart from a film producer and director, he is also known as a philanthropist. All the charity activities are channeled through an organisation called AVM Charities established at Mylapore in Chennai and managed by his descendants.

This legendary film maker was born in Karaikudi of Madras Presidency in the year 1907. He moved to Chennai at a younger age, where he established a store named Saraswathi Stores, selling gramophone records. Subsequently he entered film industry and started off as a film director. After initial setbacks, slowly he gained momentum in the industry. When the era of talkies was born in India, AVM established Saraswathi Sound Productions. In 1935, the first film was released under this banner - Alli Arjuna, followed by Ratnavali and both these ventures met with loss. He joined hands with Jayanthilal, a cinema house owner, and floated a new company - Pragati Pictures Ltd.

In 1938, AVM produced the movie, Nandakumar, a Tamil remake of Marathi film based on the ‘Bala Leela’ of Lord Krishna, which got moderate success. AVM started his own studios in 1940 and named it Pragathi Studios. Bhoo Kailash in Telugu was its first release. With two comedy hits back to back – Sabapathy (1941) and Poli Panchali, AVM experimented with new themes apart from mythology and tasted success as well. In between he introduced and promoted many new actors and other artists to film scene.

AVM established his new production company, AVM Productions at Santhome, Chennai in 1945 and Nam Iruvar based on S. V. Sahasranamam's play was its major hit. Later AVM went on to produce Hindi movies, apart from south Indian language movies. AVM Productions enjoyed the glorious period and fully dominated the industry since independence and throughout the decades of 1950s to late 1970s. Towards his end age, the company started declining and many new people entered the industry as well. He passed away in 1979, leaving behind a legacy.

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Updated: January 18, 2016