Ivana (actress)


Aleena Shaji known by her stage name Ivana, is an Indian actress who works mainly in Tamil cinema and few Malayalam films and Telugu films. Starred as a child artist in Malayalam films, and debuted as lead in Naachiyaar. She later did many commercially successful films like Love Today and Single.

Career

Aleena began her career as a child actress in the Malayalam film industry through supporting role in Masters, before working on Rani Padmini, three years later. Aleena then portrayed a pivotal role in Anuraga Karikkin Vellam as the daughter of the lead character. Director Bala had spotted a news article about Anuraga Karikkun Vellam online and subsequently chose to cast Aleena in his Tamil film, Naachiyaar, which also had Jyothika and G. V. [Prakash Kumar] in pivotal roles. Bala requested that she should use a stage name which would be easier to pronounce for Tamil audiences, and with the assistance of her cousin, she finalised the name Ivana. In order to prepare for her role, she undertook Tamil classes, while her co-actors assisted and gave her tips when filming certain scenes. Portraying Arasi, a young, innocent girl, Ivana received praise for her performance. Sify.com noted "with and a pretty fresh face and large expressive eyes, Ivana makes a wholly believable Arasi". Likewise, critics from The Indian Express noted that Ivana makes "an impressive debut", while India Todays reviewer stated that Ivana gives a "splendid performance" and her "expressions are pleasing and pretty convincing".

Filmography

  • All films are in Malayalam-language, unless otherwise noted.
YearTitleRoleNotes
2012MastersYoung Daksha
2015Rani PadminiYoung Rani
2016Anuraga Karikkin VellamAnu Raghu
2018NaachiyaarKottaiarasi "Arasi"Debut Tamil film
2019HeroMathiTamil film
2022Love TodayNikithaTamil film
2023Let's [Get Married (2023 film)|LGM: Let's Get Married]MeeraTamil film
2023MathimaranMathiTamil film
2024KalvanBalamaniTamil film
2025DragonHariniTamil film; cameo appearance
2025SingleHariniDebut Telugu film
2026Jolliya Iruntha Oruthan

Awards and nominations