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Actresses

Ivana (Actress) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth25 February 2000

Age25 Years

BirthplaceAluva, Kerala

ProfessionActress

NationalityIndian

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyFather - Cherain Shaji; Siblings - twin brother and elder sister; Brother - Leo Shaji; Sister - Laya Shaji

Ivana (Actress) Biography

Indian actress Ivana, born Aleena Shaji in Aluva, Kerala, began acting as a child and has since built a career across Malayalam and Tamil cinema. Noted for

Early life and background
Aleena Shaji, who is professionally known as Ivana, was born on 25 February 2000 in Aluva, Kerala. Raised in a Malayali family, she attended Kristu Jyoti College of Management and Technology and completed a commerce degree. Ivana grew up with a twin brother and an elder sister; her parents include her father, Cherain Shaji.

She entered the film world at a young age, making her first appearance in Malayalam cinema at about 12 years old. During her college years she remained active in performing arts, particularly participating in dance competitions.

Career
Ivana’s early screen credits include a role as young Rani in Rani Padmini (2015) and the part of Anu Raghu in Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (2016). Her Malayalam debut credit is listed as Masters (2012). A turning point came when director Bala saw coverage of Anuraga Karikkin Vellam and decided to cast her in his Tamil film Naachiyaar (2018). At Bala’s suggestion she adopted the stage name Ivana to make her screen identity easier for Tamil audiences.

For Naachiyaar she learned Tamil and worked to speak the language fluently so she could inhabit the role of Kottaiarasi (Arasi) authentically. The performance drew attention and led to a Tamil debut that opened further opportunities.

Following Naachiyaar, Ivana appeared in a string of Tamil films including Hero (2019), Love Today (2022), Kalvan (2023), LGM (2023), and Complex (2023). In Love Today she stepped into a lead role as the character Nikitha, marking a milestone in her progression from supporting parts to a central role. She also made her Telugu debut with the film Selfish (2023).

Ivana has been recognized for her early breakout work: she received the Best Debut Actress award at the Bofta Galatta Debut Awards for her role in Naachiyaar (2019).

Public profile
Physically, Ivana is reported to be approximately 168 cm tall (about 5 feet 6 inches) and around 55 kg. Her eye colour is described as dark brown and her hair as black. Listing of measurements and other physical details has appeared in public profiles.

Ivana is unmarried. She follows Hindu devotional traditions and is a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Outside of acting, she enjoys cycling and exploring natural locations. She has said she once aspired to become a Chartered Accountant and that she still may consider that path in the future.

Latest updates
In recent years Ivana’s filmography has included roles across multiple South Indian industries. She appeared in the Malayalam and Tamil film industries and continued to expand into Telugu cinema with Selfish (2023). Her lead role in Love Today (2022) is noted as an important step in her career trajectory.

Ivana maintains an active social presence and has used Instagram to share aspects of her personal interests and professional updates.
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Recent Work

Love Today

Made her debut as a lead actress portraying Nikitha

2022
Selfish

Telugu film debut

2023
Kalvan

Tamil film appearance

2023
LGM

Tamil film appearance

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Started acting as a child in Malayalam films
  2. Tamil debut in Naachiyaar (2018) leading to wider recognition
  3. Best Debut Actress at Bofta Galatta Debut Awards for Naachiyaar (2019)
  4. Lead role in Love Today (2022)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ivana (Actress) born?

25 February 2000

What is Ivana (Actress) known for?

Actress

What is Ivana (Actress)’s marital status?

Unmarried