Paayum Puli () is a 1983 Indian Tamil-language martial arts film directed by S. P. Muthuraman, written by Panchu Arunachalam and produced by AVM Productions. The film, inspired from the 1978 film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, stars Rajinikanth and Radha, alongside Jaishankar, Silk Smitha and R. N. Sudarshan, with K. Balaji making a cameo appearance. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, while cinematography and editing were handled by Babu and R. Vittal respectively. Paayum Puli was released on 14 January 1983, coinciding with Pongal, and became a commercial success.
Bharani, a meek person, joins a martial arts school and trains to become a martial artist, to exact revenge against Balram, a smuggler responsible for the death of his sister Sumathi.
Director S. P. Muthuraman and writer Panchu Arunachalam, cashing on the popularity of Bruce Lee and his martial arts films, designed the story of Paayum Puli with Judo Rathnam being hired as the action choreographer. and it was inspired by the 1978 film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. AVM Productions initially wanted A. C. Thirulokachandar to play the antagonist, but he declined the offer. Karate Mani, a stuntman was later cast in the role, but he walked out and the role finally went to Jaishankar. Filming took place primarily in a village near Andhra Pradesh.
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics were written by Vaali. For the dubbed Telugu version Debbaku Debba, the lyrics were written by Rajasri. The disco song "Aadi Maasam" was well received, and it was later remixed by Srikanth Deva in Thottupaar.
Paayum Puli was released on 14 January 1983, coinciding with Pongal. Thiraignani of Kalki said the real pouncing tigers of the film were the hero and the technicians. Balumani of Anna praised Ilaiyaraaja's music, Babu's cinematography and Judo Ratnam's stunt choreography but panned the story and dialogues and called it the weakest film from AVM Productions. Paayum Puli was a commercial success, completed a 133-day run at theatres and grossed over .
The makers wanted to release the film in Sri Lanka, but got into trouble as the title had "Puli" (Tiger), perceived as alluding to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. It was decided to release the film in the country with the title Irumbu Karangal (), but the film still did not release there.