Madras Day 2025: AVM Studio in Chennai, Museum for South Indian Film Industry

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The AVM Studio has been the eternal collection of Tamil cinema under the arc light and behind the camera gaze.

CGI (computer generated imagery) and long before the green screen, AVM Studios was the last imaginary factory that churned like a vintage classics Vedahala Ulgam Like new, high-octane hit Shivaji: BossIn his successor, the studio provided everything to a filmmaker – from the bus stand, and the temple set to the houses – all within its premises.

“By the 1990s, the studio floors were always full. We had nine floors, all of which were shot on, as well as out.” AVM Production Managing Partner Ms. Guhan said, “We are the oldest living film studios in the country today, and also the oldest production house which is still active,” he said.

Vedhala Ulgam (1948), produced under the AVM banner, was the first film to be shot at AVM Studio.

Recalling some memorable shooting moments in the studio, Mr. Guhan said for the film Samasaram Adhu Minsaram (1986), AVM decided to build a real house instead of using a temporary set. The house was constructed on the site where the Kaveri Hospital is standing today. He said, “The house in which you are watching in the film was made in three months. Many other films were also shot there. It was pulled down when the property was sold,” he said.

Vedahala Ulgam (1948), produced under AVM banner, was the first film to be shot at AVM Studio. For film Manithan (1987), two roads were specially built in the studio campus. In climax fight sequence in Sakalakala Vallavan (1982) characteristic of a dramatic building-on-fire scene, some scenes of Bharthiraja Puddi penAnd in parts of fighting sequences Shivaji: Boss She was also shot here. “A set was made for the music shop scene in the film [Sivaji: The Boss]”Mr. Guhan said, all cars and bikes were depicted in the song Depleted,

Film songs Minsara KanavuStarring Arvind Swami, Prabhu Dev and Kajol, was filmed here. Many memorable sequences of the film were alive from the romantic number – within the studio campus. Thanga Thamarai MagleFilmed against a particularly built artificial Waterfall, for leculating Venillav vanilve And lively Mana maduraiWhich was shot in the outer places of the studio.

Low activity

Currently, activity in the studio has declined, and most spaces have been converted to the development of real estate. “Once or twice a month, we host the advertising film shoot, and sometimes, a film promo shoot. For example, thug Life ,

If the walls can talk in the AVM studio, they will whisper the stories of Shivaji Ganesan’s gravity, Rajinikanth’s Swagger and Kamal Haasan’s talent. And let’s not forget the iconic spinning globe, the informal co-star of Tamil cinema, which we saw in the early credit of every film like a distinguished South Indian morning “Suprabhatam” for the morning.