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).
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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.