Reghu Damodharan, known by his stage name Bheeman Reghu, is an Indian actor, politician 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.
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 Reghu, originally named Reghu Damodharan, 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.
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. He later attended University College Thiruvananthapuram, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. He subsequently pursued an LLB degree from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.
Career Reghu 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.
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.
Politics Before 2016, Reghu was an active supporter of the Indian National Congress (INC) and campaigned for several Congress candidates in the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections. 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. He finished third with 11,700 votes.
In 2023, Reghu quit the BJP and joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Personal life Bheeman Reghu married Sudha Reghu. The couple have three children.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1981 Grihalakshmi Pinneyum Pookkunna Kaadu Kaahalam 1982 Aa Divasam Thadakam Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam Jacob Bheeman 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 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 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 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 2026
Other language films Year Film Role Language Notes 1989 Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai Tamil 1990 Idu Saadhya Kannada Dubbed in Malayalam as 48 Manikkoor 1991 Karpoora Mullai Ravi Tamil
Television Year Title Role Channel2004 – 2005Kadamattathu Kathanar Ittan Pada NairAsianet2005Vikramadithyan NeedivakyanAsianet2016Ugram Ujjwalam Season 2 HimselfMazhavil Manorama2018Urvashi Theatres HimselfAsianet2021Koodevide KombanAsianet2023 Gouri Shankaram DYSP SomashekharanAsianet
References
External links
Bheeman Raghu at MSI