Bairavi is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language film directed by M. Bhaskar, and produced by Kalaignanam, who also wrote the story and dialogues.

Rajalingam forces Mookaiyah to abduct a young girl from a neighbouring village, Bhagyam.

After learning of his adopted sister's murder, Maanikam vows vengeance on Mookaiyah, whom he believes to be responsible for Bairavi's death.

Kalaignanam, who was impressed with Rajinikanth's acting style, went straight ahead casting him in the lead role for Bhairavi, and paid him an advance.

Initially, Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar agreed to give financial support for Bhairavi but when he heard Rajinikanth is the lead actor, he withdrew the support and advised Kalaignanam to stop the film or change the actor and questioned him for choosing a villain in the lead role and hero as villain (Srikanth was acting as hero those days) and he assured that it will be a huge loss.

[6] A 35-foot high cutout of Rajinikanth was built at Plaza Theatre by S. Thanu to promote the film.