CM M.K. Stalin inaugurates AVM Heritage Museum – Actors Kamal Haasan, Sivakumar participated in this event

The museum houses old equipment used in mixing and editing, movie artefacts and around 40 cars and 20 bikes used by various actors and the founder of AVM, A.V.M. Meyyappa Chettiar

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on May 7 inaugurated the AVM Heritage Museum at AVM Studios in Chennai. The museum houses old equipment used in mixing and editing, movie artefacts and around 40 cars and 20 bikes used by various actors and the founder of AVM, A.V.M. Meyyappa Chettiar.

Actor Kamal Haasan, who was introduced as a child actor in ‘ Kalathur Kannama’, produced by AVM Studios, accompanied the Chief Minister, who was flanked by party MP T. R. Balu, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy and the family of A.V.M. Saravanan.
The event was graced by the presence of Tamil Nadu ministers Ponmudy and TR Baalu, director SP Muthuraman, and AVM’s long-time collaborators Kamal Haasan, Sivakumar and  Kaviperarasu Vairamuthu. Also in attendance were producers AVM Saravanan, MS Guhan, and Aruna Guhan.

Speaking about the idea behind the museum, producer MS Guhan of AVM Studios said, “I have a penchant for collecting cars, and as a production house, we have preserved a lot of the equipment we’ve used over the years. So, the time was right to set up a museum to showcase the heritage and legacy of AVM Productions.”

To keep things interesting, Guhan revealed that the artifacts on display would be changed every three months. “There are many more antiques that have been preserved. For instance, we are getting a few mannequins ready to display famous costumes like the one Kamal Haasan donned in Sakalakala Vallavan.”

With the museum still in the nascent stage of being set up, the curators exude confidence that it will soon be enhanced with the additions to the antiquities. “For every car displayed, we want to show a photograph of the actor who used it in one of our films. We also want to showcase the name of the film, the cinematographer, and other crew members too,” informed Guhan.

AVM Heritage Museum

For over 77 years, AVM Studios has been synonymous with setting benchmarks in the film industry by producing over 178 movies. As the oldest active film studio in India, the AVM family has kept up with that legacy, building and adapting it to changing times.

Inspired by our founder Sri AV. Meiyappan’s footsteps of being innovative and creative, AVM Studios is proud to launch our ‘AVM Heritage Museum’. A celebration of legacy, cinema, history and our carefully preserved archives and equipments, the museum will give visitors the chance to immerse themselves into the rich history of AVM and an impressive collection of rare automobiles.

AVM has the credit of introducing many innovations into the Indian film arena. The first Indian film to introduce dubbing (Harish Chandra in 1944), the first film to introduce playback singing (Nandakumar in 1938), the first film to introduce playback with post lip synchronisation (Sri Valli in 1945), the first film without any songs (Andha Naal in 1954), the first Indian film to combine real actors with animation (Raja Chinna Roja in 1989), the first film to win the Jawaharlal Nehru Gold Medal for the Best Children’s Film (Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke in 1957), the first Indian film to use Dolby Atmos (Sivaji 3D, 2012) are some classic examples of our commitment for innovation & evolution.

AVM has had the privilege of associating with five Chief Ministers (Thiru. C.N. Annadurai, Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, Dr. M.G. Ramachandran, Thiru. N.T. Rama Rao and Dr. Dr. J.Jayalalitha) in our films. AVM’s ‘Parasakthi” which came with a very powerful storyline and fiery dialogues written by the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi changed the character of Cinema. The film preached social revolution and introduced the policies of social justice in the . “Success!” “Success!!” “Success!!!” – the veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan delivered these words as his first ever dialogue when he debut in this revolutionary movie. The famous monument that commemorates the actor’s first ever shot in the movie is exhibited at the AVM Heritage Museum.

Heritage Museum is an opportunity for the public to relish key milestones that have transformed Indian Cinema. The visitors can sneak peek into an assortment of audio and video equipment, including cameras used for shooting magnum opus movies like ‘Muruttu Kaalai’, ‘Sakala Kala Vallavan’, ‘Mundhanai Mudichu’, ‘Samsaram Athu Minsaram’ and ‘Yejaman’. The palanquins used in the song ‘Vaaji Vaaji” in the movie ‘Sivaji – The Boss’ and in the song ‘Aalappol Velapol’ in the movie ‘Yajamaan’ and the 1939 model MG TB car used in the ‘Athiradee’ song in the movie Sivaji – The Boss will undoubtedly fascinate Super Star Rajinikanth’s fans! The statue of the Super Star that ‘Mottai Boss’ garlands in the movie ‘Sivaji – The Boss’ will surely enchant the movie buffs!

With over 45 vintage & classic cars and 20 bikes spanning from 1910s to the 2000s, this fleet of machines will transport the visitors back in time to experience the golden era of automobiles. You can witness the elegant curves and luxurious details of cars used by icons like Dr. M.G. Ramachandran, Thiru. S.S Vasan (Founder, Gemini Studios) and Thiru.AV.Meiyappan.

A working replica of a 1886, Benz Patent Motorwagen, the first automobile of the world propelled by an internal combustion engine and a Ford Quadricycle which was Henry Ford’s first experimental automobile which he built in 1896 will be the biggest attractions for auto enthusiasts.

museum will be open to public from Wednesday to Monday from 10.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m. and will be closed on Tuesdays & National Holidays. An entry fee of 200 per adult and 150 per child shall be applicable.