Bhavana (actress)

Karthika Menon, better known by her stage name Bhavana, is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Malayalam and Kannada language films in addition to Tamil and Telugu films. One of the leading actress of Malayalam cinema, she is the recipient of two Kerala State Film Awards and a Filmfare Award.

She debuted with the film Nammal (2002) and appeared in several successful Malayalam films like Chronic Bachelor (2003), C.I.D. Moosa (2003), Swapnakoodu (2003), Chathikkatha Chanthu (2004), Naran (2005), Chotta Mumbai (2007) and Marykkundoru Kunjaadu (2010), Tamil films including Chithiram Pesuthadi (2006), Jayamkondaan (2008) and Aasal (2010), and successful Kannada films like Jackie (2010), Vishnuvardhana (2011) and Romeo (2013). She received two Kerala State Film Awards for Daivanamathil and Nammal.

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 did her schooling 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.

2002–2010: Early debut to lead actress
At age 16, she debuted in the Malayalam film Nammal (2002). The film was a commercial success.

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 2004, she appeared in Runway. Youth Festival, Parayam and Amritam were box office failures. She starred in Chathikkatha Chanthu.

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 (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 subjected to sexual assault 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 the Malayalam film industry Women in Cinema Collective, formed to protect female actors. 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
The engagement ceremony of Bhavana and Kannada film producer Naveen was held in March 2017. They married on 22 January 2018.

Awards
She has won two Kerala State Film Awards in two different categories.