Bhavana (born Karthika Menon; 6 June 1986) is an actress from Kerala who predominantly appears in Malayalam and Kannada films. Bhavana is a recipient of several accolades including two Kerala State Film Awards and one Filmfare Award South. == Early life == Bhavana was born as Karthika Menon on 6 June 1986 in Thrissur, Kerala. She is the daughter of assistant cinematographer G. Balachandran and Pushpa. She has an elder brother, Jayadev. She was educated at Holy Family Convent Girls School in Chembukkavu, 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 a film career. == Career == 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 Kadarkarai Salai, Veyil, and Koodal Nagar. In 2007, she starred in Deepavali, Chotta Mumbai,Aarya, and RameswaramIn 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. 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. In 2022, it was announced that Bhavana would return to Malayalam cinema with Ntikkakkakkoru Premondarnn and the film was released in 2023. She came back to Tamil cinema after 15 years, with the horror film The Door (2025). == Abduction and sexual 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. She spoke of attempts to "humiliate, silence and isolate" her and said that the journey "from being a victim to becoming a survivor" had not been easy. Writing on her Instagram page, she vowed to keep striving for justice to ensure no one else had to endure such an ordeal. 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 Malayalam film industry. The trial began on 8 March 2018 at a sessions court in Ernakulam and continued for eight years, with charges against 10 accused, including Dileep. On 8 December 2025, the Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court delivered its verdict, acquitting Dileep and three others, while convicting the prime accused, Sunil N. S. (Pulsar Suni), and five others. == Personal life == Bhavana and Kannada film producer Naveen got engaged in March 2017. The couple got married on 22 January 2018. == Media image == Bhavana is considered among the highest-paid Malayalam actresses. In the Bangalore Times Most Desirable Women list, Bhavana was placed 27th in 2017, 23rd in 2019, and 30th in 2020. == Filmography == === Films === === Web series === == Accolades == 2003: Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Female Debut for Nammal. 2003: Asianet Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Nammal. 2006: Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress for Daivanamathil. 2006: Asianet Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Daivanamathil. 2007: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil for Chithiram Pesuthadi. == References == == External links == Bhavana at IMDb