Bhavya began her career with the Siddalingaiah directorial Prema Parva released in 1983. This was closely followed by a lead role in the acclaimed director Bhargava directed Praana Snehita in the year 1983. This also starred Shankar Nag and Tara alongside her and was an average grosser at the box-office. She also got the lead actress role in the Vishnuvardhan starrer Kallu Veene Nudiyitu released in the same year. In 1984, she starred in a very successful film, Baddi Bangaramma where she played the role of an harassed daughter-in-law. As a completely contrasting role, she played a very glamorous role in the V. Ravichandran starrer Pralayantaka in the same year. The following year saw her work extensively in many projects including the Tamil musical hit Geethanjali opposite actor Murali. Her biggest break in Kannada cinema came in the same year with the film Nee Bareda Kadambari. She was widely acclaimed for this role.

Following this success, Bhavya went on to act in several commercial hit films such as Krishna Nee Begane Baaro (1986), Sangrama (1987), Avale Nanna Hendthi and S. P. Sangliana in 1988 and many others to follow in early and mid 1990's. She acted opposite all the leading actors of 1980's and 1990s such as Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish, Ananth Nag, Shankar Nag, V. Ravichandran, Kashinath among others.

From 2004 till date, Bhavya has switched over to character roles mainly playing mother to the lead actors. Monalisa, Sajini, Moorkha were the first few films of Bhavya as a character artist. She has also worked in Television daily series such as Durga. Bhavya has developed a cult following recently due to her hot rain songs with Vishnuvardhan that are shown frequently in Midnight Masala TV program.

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