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For over seven decades, the AVM Studios has been a pioneer in setting up the benchmark in the film industry by producing movies across several languages and introducing various innovations in the industry.
Keeping up with the changing times, the family of one of the oldest and active studios in the country has now launched the ‘AVM Heritage Museum’ which according to them is a celebration of legacy, cinema, and history. The carefully preserved archives and equipment will give visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the rich history of AVM.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin Sunday inaugurated the museum at AVM Studios in Chennai. Actor Kamal Haasan, who was introduced as a child actor in Kalathur Kannamma, a film bankrolled by AVM Productions, participated in the event. DMK MP T R Baalu, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy, director S P Muthuraman, veteran actor Sivakumar and poet Vairamuthu were among the notable guests present at the event.
At the museum, visitors can sneak into the assortment of audio and video equipment, including cameras used for shooting iconic Tamil movies such as Murattu Kaalai, Sakalakala Vallavan, Mundhanai Mudichu, Samsaram Athu Minsaram, Yejaman, among others.
The museum also houses over 45 vintage classic cars and 20 bikes spanning from the 1910s to 2000s used by various artists and icons such as former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M G Ramachandran, S S Vasan (founder, Gemini Studios) and film producer and director A V Meiyappan who established AVM Productions at Vadapalani in Chennai.
Further, the palanquins used in the popular song ‘Vaaji Vaaji’ in superstar Rajinikanth’s Sivaji – The Boss and the 1939 model MG TB car used in the ‘Athiradee’ song in the same movie have also been kept on display. Rajinikanth’s fans will also have more reasons to rejoice as the statue of the star himself that was used in the movie during the ‘Motta boss’ sequence will also be on display.
During the event, it was noted that the working replica of an 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 bring joy for auto enthusiasts.
M S Guhan of AVM, during the event, said that they have a lot of materials and hence will be changing the display of items accordingly. He noted that they are getting a few mannequins to display famous costumes worn by actors such as MGR, and Kamal Haasan in movies like Anbe Vaa, Sakalakala Vallavan, etc.
The AVM Production which forayed into web series through ‘Tamil Rockerz’ is also planning to produce films again.
The museum will be open to the public from Wednesday to Monday from 10 am to 5 pm and remain closed on Tuesdays and other public holidays. The entry fee for adults and children will be Rs 200 and Rs 150.
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