Making his debut in the film industry with the National Award winning movie Abachurina Post Office in 1973, Ramesh Bhat is a multiple-award-winning Indian actor and director, who works primarily in the Kannada film industry. In a career spanning over four decades, he has appeared in supporting roles in several Kannada films, notably Minchina Ota (1980), Ganesha Subramanya (1992), Jogi (2005) and Mana Manthana (2015). For his performance in Mana Manthana, Ramesh won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2015. Other significant acting credits include Nishkarsha (1993), Yajamana (2000), Khushi (2003), Aishwarya (2006), No. 73 Shanthi Nivasa (2007), Kraanthiveera Sangolli Raayanna (2012), Adhyaksha (2014), Kalpana 2 (2016), Raaga (2017), Ayana (2017), and the critically acclaimed television series Malgudi Days, on which he also served as assistant director. Ramesh made his directorial debut in 1985 with the National Award nominated movie, Parameshi Prema Prasanga. At the Karnataka State Awards for 1984-1985, Master Manjunath won the Best Child Actor (Male) for the movie. That was only movie directed by Ramesh though.

In 2018 Ramesh starred in director Vinay Krishna`s action thriller, Seizer, Gvana Yajna and Swartharatna, directed by Ashwin Kodange. His other releases include Gandada Kudi, Aa Drushya and Maduve Madri Sari Hogtane.