Reghu Damodharan, known by his stage name Bheeman Reghu, is an Indian actor and retired police officer. Before transitioning to a full-time career in cinema, he served as a sub-inspector in the Kerala Police. With a career spanning over four decades, Reghu has appeared in more than 400 films, predominantly in Malayalam cinema. While he is best recognized for his villainous roles, he has occasionally ventured into comedic performances.
Bheeman Reghu | |
|---|---|
 Reghu at an event in 2013 | |
| Born | Reghu Damodharan[1] |
| Other names | Bheeman Raghu, Reghuvera, Nilppan |
| Alma mater | University of Kerala (LLB) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1981–present |
Political party | Indian National Congress (before 2016), BJP (2016-2023), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (2023-2026), CPI (2026- Present ) |
| Spouse |
Sudha Reghu (m. 1978) |
| Children | 3 |
Beyond acting, he has also been involved in politics and film direction. In 2016, Reghu contested the Kerala Legislative Assembly election as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Pathanapuram constituency, finishing in third place. In 2023, Reghu quit the BJP and joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM). He made his directorial debut with Chaana (2023).
Early life
editReghu, originally named Reghu Damodharan,[2] was born in Puzhavathu, Changanassery, in Kottayam district in the former Travancore–Cochin state. He was born to K. P. Damodaran Nair, a former Municipal Commissioner, and Thankamma. He has a sister, Vasundhara Devi.[3]
His early education took place at St. Stephen's School, Pathanapuram. During 1970–71, while studying at Sanatana Dharma College in Alappuzha, he was part of the college weightlifting team.[3] He later attended University College Thiruvananthapuram, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree.[2] He subsequently pursued an LLB degree from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.[4]
Career
editReghu served as a sub-inspector in the Kerala Police. He made his acting debut in a leading role in the Malayalam film Bheeman in 1982, portraying a character who resembled the late actor Jayan. Since then, he has been popularly known by the moniker "Bheeman". Over the course of his career, he has acted in more than 400 films. Although he is primarily known for his antagonistic roles, he has also appeared in comedic roles in several films.[5][6][7]
In 2023, he made his directorial debut with Chaana, in which he also starred. Written by Aji Aylara, the story centers on a Tamil man from Tenkasi who travels to Kerala in search of a livelihood as a knife sharpener. The film was released theatrically on 17 March 2023.[8]
Politics
editBefore 2016, Reghu was an active supporter of the Indian National Congress (INC) and campaigned for several Congress candidates in the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections.[citation needed] After joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2016, he unsuccessfully contested the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election as the BJP candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from Pathanapuram constituency. He contested against fellow actors K. B. Ganesh Kumar of the Kerala Congress (B) representing the LDF and Jagadish of the Indian National Congress representing the UDF.[9] He finished third with 11,700 votes.[1]
In 2023, Reghu quit the BJP and joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist).[10] After the party's defeat in 2026 election, Reghu immediately quit CPM and joined CPI.
Personal life
editFilmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Grihalakshmi | ||
| Pinneyum Pookkunna Kaadu | |||
| Kaahalam | |||
| 1982 | Aa Divasam | ||
| Thadakam | |||
| Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam | Jacob | ||
| Bheeman | Bheeman Reghu | First film as hero | |
| 1983 | Thimingalam | ||
| Hello Madras Girl | |||
| Oru Maadapraavinte Kadha | |||
| Asthram | |||
| Rathilayam | |||
| Kodumkattu | |||
| Asuran | |||
| Ponthooval | |||
| 1984 | Thirakkil Alppa Samayam | Bhargavan | |
| Nethavu | |||
| Raajavembaala | Antony | ||
| Nishedi | Vimal/Vinod | ||
| Rakshassu | Raghu | ||
| Bullet | |||
| Bheekaran | |||
| Ivide Ingane | Sugunan | ||
| Itha Innu Muthal | Rajkumar | ||
| 1985 | Paara | ||
| Kiratham | Radhakrishnan | ||
| Oru Naal Innoru Naal | Koyakutti | ||
| Kannaaram Pothippothi | Vaasu | ||
| Sammelanam | |||
| Mukhyamanthri | Jamal | ||
| Shatru | Johny | ||
| Janakeeya Kodathi | Raveendran | ||
| 1986 | Sakhavu | ||
| Pidikittapulli | |||
| Niramulla Raavukal | |||
| Ardha Raathri | |||
| Railway Cross | |||
| Karinagam | |||
| Kaala Rathri | |||
| 1987 | Dheeran | ||
| Neeyallengil Njan | Tiger Ramu | ||
| Itha Samayamayi | |||
| Ithrayum Kaalam | |||
| 1988 | 1921 | Historical character | |
| Janma Shatru | Raghu | ||
| Onninu Purake Mattonnu | |||
| Karate Girls | |||
| Theruvu Narthaki | Muraleedharan | ||
| Bheekaran | Rajan | ||
| Mukthi | Police officer | ||
| 1989 | Puthiya Karukkal | Robert | |
| Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha | Aringodar's Sishyan | ||
| Mrigaya | Kunjachan | ||
| 1990 | Randam Varavu | Vasu | |
| Qatil Jawani | As Bheeman Reghu | ||
| Idu Saadhya | Dubbed to Malayalam as 48 Manikkoor | ||
| Arhatha | Siddique | ||
| Midhya | Varghese | ||
| Samrajyam | Alexander's right-hand man | ||
| Kalikkalam | Jose | ||
| 1991 | Godfather | Premachandran | |
| Ente Sooryaputhrikku | Ravi | ||
| Advaitham | |||
| Inspector Balram | D'cruz Perera | ||
| Master Plan | |||
| Adayalam | Raju | ||
| Agni Nilavu | Karinjan | ||
| Neelagiri | Chandru | ||
| Karpoora Mullai | Ravi | Tamil film | |
| 1992 | Neelakurukkan | ||
| Police Diary | |||
| Kizhakkan Pathrose | |||
| Kauravar | Ramayyan | ||
| Mahanagaram | Padmanabhan | ||
| 1993 | Vietnam Colony | Irumpu John | |
| Janam | Feroz | ||
| Devasuram | Kallan Chacko | ||
| 1994 | Gentleman Security | Cruz | |
| Kadal | |||
| Rudraksham | Thankachan | ||
| Commissioner | Wilfred Vincent Bastin | ||
| 1995 | Arabikadaloram | Karlose | |
| Street | |||
| Prayikkara Pappan | |||
| Spadikam | SI Somasekharan Pillai | ||
| 1996 | Mookkilla Rajyathu Murimookkan Rajavu | ||
| Hitlist | Vikram | ||
| Dominic Presentation | Amareshan | ||
| 1997 | Kaduva Thoma | ||
| Bhoopathi | |||
| Aaraam Thampuran | Apputty Nambiar | ||
| Varnapakittu | SI Damodaran Nair | ||
| 1998 | Kalapam | Karippayi Antony | |
| Magician Mahendralal from Delhi | Kumar | ||
| 1999 | James Bond | Haajiyar | |
| Captain | Rengan | ||
| FIR | Chakrapani, As a Drama Director | ||
| Aayiram Meni | Maramadi Mammachan | ||
| 2000 | Narasimham | C. I. Sankaranarayanan | |
| Valliettan | Nedungadi | ||
| India Gate | |||
| Priyankari | |||
| Rapid Action Force | Tyson John | ||
| Mark Antony | Kariyachan | ||
| 2001 | Chitrathoonukal | ||
| Layam | |||
| Nariman | Musthafa Kamal | ||
| 2002 | Ee Nadu Innale Vare | Ana Kasim | |
| Suvarna Mohangal | |||
| Phantom | Irachi Pranchi | ||
| Chathurangam | Hakkim | ||
| 2004 | Thudakkam | A.S.I. Prushothaman | |
| Vajram | Poovalan | ||
| 2005 | Chandrolsavam | Eangapara Peethambaran | |
| Thaskara Veeran | Kargil Narayanan | ||
| Ben Johnson | Bheeman Raghu | ||
| Udayon | Police officer | ||
| Naran | Keeri Raghavan | ||
| Rajamanikyam | Quintal' Varkey | ||
| 2006 | Madhuchandralekha | Arumugham | |
| Thuruppu Gulan | Tipper Vasu | ||
| Chacko Randaaman | Chenkannan Rajan | ||
| Prajapathi | SP Ramachandran | ||
| Highway Police | |||
| Lakshmi | Telugu | ||
| Red Salute | Marthandan Velayudhan | ||
| Raashtram | Koshi | ||
| Lion | DYSP Anantharaghavan | ||
| Chinthamani Kolacase | David Rajarathnam | ||
| Chess | DYSP Koshi | ||
| The Don | Sikandar | ||
| Kanaka Simhasanam | Ramakrishnan | ||
| 2007 | Romeoo | Avaran | |
| Chotta Mumbai | CI Alex | ||
| Black Cat | Vikram Dharma | ||
| Kaakki | DIG | ||
| Athishayan | Commissioner Shanmughan | ||
| Hallo | Batheri Bappu | ||
| Nasrani | Rajeevan | ||
| 2008 | Jubilee | Aravukaran Ali | |
| Kabadi Kabadi | Chitrangathan | ||
| Kanal Kannaadi | |||
| Sound of Boot | ADGP Thomas Sebastian | ||
| 2009 | Seetha Kalyanam | Usilampatti Vasu | |
| Ee Pattanathil Bhootham | Circus master | ||
| Hailesa | Valayar Maniyappan | ||
| Kappal Muthalaali | Parushuraman | ||
| Loudspeaker | Madhavan Nair | ||
| Duplicate | Blade Dasappan | ||
| 2010 | Nalla Pattukare | Dance teacher | |
| Thaskara Lahala | Idiyan George | ||
| Aakaasha Yaathra | |||
| Njaan Sanchaari | |||
| Oru Small Family | Hercules | ||
| Best of Luck | Bhasi | ||
| Kanyakumari Express | |||
| 2011 | Janapriyan | ||
| Manushya Mrugam | |||
| Teja Bhai & Family | Johny | ||
| 2012 | Theruvu Nakshatrangal | ||
| Madirasi | |||
| Naughty Professor | |||
| 2013 | My Fan Ramu | ||
| Housefull | Benchamin Joseph | ||
| For Sale | Pothu Swami | ||
| 2014 | Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil | ||
| On The Way | |||
| RajadhiRaja | DySP Paulose Pothen | ||
| Nagara Varidhi Naduvil Njan | |||
| Malayalakkara Residency | |||
| 2019 | Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel | Irumbu Babu | |
| Mera Naam Shaji | |||
| Thenkashikattu | |||
| Kuttymama | |||
| Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 | |||
| Visudha Pusthakam | |||
| Oru Mass Katha Veendum | |||
| 2020 | Zebra Varakal | ||
| 2021 | Pidikittapulli | ||
| 2022 | P. K. Rosy | ||
| 2023 | Prema Deshapu Yuvarani | ||
| Orapara Kalyana Vishesham | |||
| Chaana | |||
| 2024 | Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe | ||
| Bad Boyz | |||
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 – 2005 | Kadamattathu Kathanar | Ittan Pada Nair | Asianet |
| 2005 | Vikramadithyan | Needivakyan | Asianet |
| 2016 | Ugram Ujjwalam Season 2 | Himself | Mazhavil Manorama |
| 2018 | Urvashi Theatres | Himself | Asianet |
| 2021 | Koodevide | Komban | Asianet |
| 2023 – present | Gourishankaram | DYSP Somashekharan | Asianet |
References
edit- 1 2 "Kerala Assembly Election Results-- 2016". Keralaassembly.org. May 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- 1 2 "Reghu Damodharan (Bheeman Reghu)(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- PATHANAPURAM(KOLLAM) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". My Neta. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- 1 2 3 Mathrubhumi (23 September 2023). "ന്റപ്പൂപ്പന് 15 ആനേണ്ടാർന്നെന്ന് ഭീമൻ രഘു; േട്രാളുന്നവർ ആയിക്കോ". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ↑ "CiniDiary". CiniDiary. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- ↑ Rajan, Silpa (23 May 2022). "Bheeman Raghu on his maiden directorial 'Chaana': This was a story worth telling - EXCLUSIVE!". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ↑ "Take A Look! Do You Know The Films For Which These Comedians Turned Villains?". filmibeat.com. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ↑ "Police Officers turned actors who made it big in Mollywood". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ↑ "Bheeman Raghu's directorial debut Chaana gets a release date". Cinema Express. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ↑ "Bheeman Raghu - Pathanapuram NDA Candidate Kerala Assembly Elections 2016, Votes, Lead". keralaassembly.com. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ↑ Statesman News Service (11 June 2023). "Noted actor Bheeman Raghu to quit BJP". The Statesman. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ↑ "'ചിപ്പി വന്നിട്ടുണ്ടോ ആവോ, ഇതാണെന്റെ ചിപ്പി';ഭാര്യയെ ചേര്ത്തുപിടിച്ച് ഭീമന് രഘു". Mathrubhumi. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.