A. V. Meiyappan
| Avichi Meiyappa Chettiar | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
28 July 1907 Karaikudi, Madras Presidency, India |
| Died | 12 August 1979 (aged 72) Madras, India |
| Years active | 1934–1973 |
| Spouse(s) | Alamelu Meiyappan, Rajeswari Meiyappan |
Avichi Meiyappa Chettiar (Tamil: ஆவிச்சி மெய்யப்ப செட்டியார்; 28 July 1907 – 12 August 1979), also known as A. V. Meiyappan or AVM, was an Indian film producer, director and philanthropist who established AVM Productions in Vadapalani, Chennai. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Tamil cinema, and one of three movie moguls of the South Indian film industry along with S. S. Vasan and L. V. Prasad. His production company AVM Productions is the only production company in Kollywood (Tamil film industry) to run successfully for five decades and three generations.
AVM was born in Karaikudi in a well-to-do Nagarathar family. He moved to Chennai (then known as Madras) at an early age and established Saraswathi Stores which sold gramophone records. Subsequently, he entered the film industry and started directing his own films. After some initial setbacks, AVM delivered a string of hits in the early 1940s. Following the immense success of his 1947 film Nam Iruvar, AVM moved to film production and established AVM Productions in Chennai, first at Santhome and then at Kodambakkam. In 1951, AVM entered the Hindi film industry with the film Bahar starring Vyjayanthimala. By the time he died in 1979, he had produced 167 films.
Some of the greatest hits produced by AVM Productions are Vazhkai, Bahar, Parasakthi, Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke, Bhookailash, Kalathur Kannamma, Server Sundaram and Major Chandrakanth. AVM also directed a number of films in the 1930s and 1940s, the notable ones being Alli Arjuna, Bhookailash, Sabapathy, Sri Valli and Nam Iruvar.
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