Bheeman Raghu

Bheeman Reghu
Reghu at an event in 2013
Born	Reghu Damodharan[1] (1953-10-06) 6 October 1953 (age 71) Perunna, Changanacherry, Travancore–Cochin, India
Other names	Bheeman Raghu
Alma mater	University of Kerala (LLB)
Occupations	Actor police officer
Years active	1981–present
Political party	Communist Party of India (Marxist) (since 2023)
Spouse	Sudha Reghu ​ (m. 1978)​
Children	3

Reghu Damodharan (born 6 October 1953), 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.

Beyond acting, he has also been involved in politics and film direction. In 2016, Reghu ran for the Kerala Legislative Assembly election as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Pathanapuram constituency, finishing in third place. In 2023, Reghu quit BJP and joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM). He made his directorial debut with Chaana (2023).

Reghu, originally named Reghu Damodharan^[2] was born on 6 October 1953^{[citation needed]} at Puzhavathu, Changanassery in Kottayam district in the former Travancore–Cochin state. He was born to K. P. Damodaran Nair, former Municipal Commissioner, and Thankamma. He has a sister.^[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 then went to University College Thiruvananthapuram, where he graduated with Bachelor of Science (BSc).^[2] Later, he pursued LLB from Government Law College Thiruvananthapuram.^[4]

Reghu was as a sub-inspector in the Kerala Police. He made his debut in a leading role in the Malayalam film Bheeman in 1982, where he portrayed a character who resembled the late actor Jayan. Since then, he has been recognized by the moniker "Bheeman". Following that, he has acted in more than 400 films. He is mostly known for his antagonistic roles, he has appeared in comedic characters in some films.^[5][6][7]

In 2023, he made his directorial debut with Chaana, starring himself. Written by Aji Aylara, the story centers on a Tamil man hailing from Tenkasi who journeys to Kerala in pursuit of a livelihood as a knife sharpener. The film was released in theatres on 17 March 2023.^[8]

Before 2016, he is an active supporter of Indian National Congress (INC) he campaigned for many Congress candidates in Kerala assembly elections.^{[citation needed]} After joining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2016, in the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, he contested unsuccessfully as a candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from Pathanapuram constituency. He contested against his fellow actors K. B. Ganesh Kumar (Kerala Congress (B), LDF) and Jagadish (Indian National Congress, UDF).^[9] He came third with 11,700 votes.^[1] In 2023, Reghu quit BJP and joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist).^[10]

Bheeman Reghu married Sudha Reghu^[11] on 18 January 1978.^{[citation needed]} The couple have three children.^[3]

• Bheeman Raghu at IMDb
• Bheeman Raghu at MSI