Karthika Menon, better known by her stage name Bhavana, is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Malayalam films, in addition to Kannada and Tamil films.

Early life

Bhavana was born Karthika Menon on 6 June 1986 in Thrissur, Kerala. She is the daughter of Pushpa and assistant cinematographer G. Balachandran. She has an elder brother, Jayadev. She was educated at Holy Family Convent Girls High School, Thrissur. Bhavana has described herself as a restless person and someone who's "hard to handle". When she was young, she dreamed of becoming an actress. She was an 11th standard student when she got her break in the film.

Career

2002–2010: Early debut to lead actress

Bhavana debuted in the Malayalam film Nammal (2002). The following year she had six releases, Thilakkam., Chronic Bachelor, C.I.D. Moosa, Swapnakoodu, Ivar and Valathottu Thirinjal Nalamathe Veedu failed at the box office. In 2005, she appeared in Hridayathil Sookshikkan, Police, directed by V. K. Prakash Banglavil Outha. and Daivanamathil. She then appeared in Chanthupottu, Naran and Bus Conductor. In 2006, she made her debut in Tamil cinema with the release of Chithiram Pesuthadi. She then starred in Chinthamani Kolacase, Kisan, Chess, and despite having mixed reviews Kizhakku Kadalkarai Salai, Veyil, and Koodal Nagar. In 2007, she starred in Deepavali, Chotta Mumbai, Aarya, and Rameswaram In 2008, she was seen in the films, Vaazhthugal, Ontari which marks her Telugu debut film, Hero, Jayamkondaan, Twenty:20, Lollipop Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded, Winter, Robin Hood, Mahatma, Happy Husbands, and Aasal.

2010–2023: Debut in Kannada cinema and comeback

In 2010, she was seen in the Kannada film alongside Puneeth Rajkumar, Jackie, Marykkundoru Kunjaadu with Dileep, Doctor Love, Kudumbasree Travels, The Metro, Oru Marubhoomikkadha, Vishnuvardhana, Nippu, Romeo, Ozhimuri, Trivandrum Lodge, Yaare Koogadali, Topiwala and Bachchan. Her next films were Honey Bee and Ezhamathe Varavu, She appeared in films such as Polytechnic, Koothara, Angry Babies in Love, Hello Namasthe and Kuttikalundu Sookshikkuka, all of which were poorly received. She was a part of Ivide, Chowka, Honey Bee 2: Celebrations, Adventures of Omanakuttan, Vilakkumaram, Adam Joan. In 2018, she starred in Tagaru, and 99, In 2021, she appeared in a series of Kannada films, Inspector Vikram, SriKrishna@gmail.com, Govinda Govinda and Bhajarangi 2.

2023–present: Return to Malayalam cinema

In 2022, it was announced that Bhavana would return to Malayalam cinema with Ntikkakkakkoru Premondarnn and the film was released in 2023.

Abduction and assault

In February 2017, she was kidnapped while returning home from a shoot and sexually assaulted by a gang of men. In April 2017, there were multiple reports in the media that actor Dileep had links to the main accused. In July 2017, Dileep was arrested by the investigating team, which said in its charge sheet that there was circumstantial evidence for Dileep's alleged conspiracy with the other accused men. Dileep was released on bail in October 2017. In 2022, amid further media reports alleging Dileep's attempt to intimidate an investigating officer, new charges were filed against him and five others. After the assault, Bhavana withdrew from the Malayalam movie industry for five years. Bhavana made her first comment about the case in 2022. Bhavana's assault partly contributed to the creation of Women in Cinema Collective and the formation of Hema Committee. A couple of months after Bhavana spoke out, the Kerala state assembly is planning legislation to protect women working in the film industry.

Personal life

Bhavana and Kannada film producer Naveen engaged on March 2017 and married on 22 January 2018.

Filmography

Films

Web series

Awards