Ivana (actress)
Ivana | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aleena Shaji February 25, 2000 |
| Other name | Ivana |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2012–present |
Aleena Shaji (born 25 February 2000) known by her stage name Ivana, is an Indian actress who works mainly in Tamil cinema and in addition to a few Malayalam and Telugu films. She began her career as a child actor in Malayalam films, and made her debut in a leading role in Naachiyaar (2018). She later appeared in commercially successful films including Love Today (2022) and Single (2025).
Career
Shaji began her career as a child actor in the Malayalam film industry through supporting role in Masters (2012), before working on Rani Padmini (2015), three years later. Shaji then played the daughter of the lead character in Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (2016).[1] Director Bala had spotted an online news article about Anuraga Karikkun Vellam and subsequently cast Shaji in his Tamil film, Naachiyaar (2018), which also starred Jyothika and G. V. Prakash Kumar. 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 chose the name Ivana.[2] In order to prepare for her role, she undertook Tamil classes, while her co-actors assisted and gave her tips when filming certain scenes.[3] 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".[4] Likewise, critics from The Indian Express noted that Ivana makes "an impressive debut", while India Today's reviewer stated that Ivana gives a "splendid performance" and her "expressions are pleasing and pretty convincing".[5][6]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Language (s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Masters | Young Daksha | Malayalam | ||
| 2015 | Rani Padmini | Young Rani | |||
| 2016 | Anuraga Karikkin Vellam | Anu Raghu | |||
| 2018 | Naachiyaar | Tamil | Debut Tamil film | ||
| 2019 | Hero | Mathi | |||
| 2022 | Love Today | Nikitha | |||
| 2023 | LGM: Let's Get Married | Meera | |||
| Mathimaran | Mathi | ||||
| 2024 | Kalvan | Balamani | |||
| 2025 | Dragon | Harini | Cameo appearance | ||
| Single | Harini | Telugu | Debut Telugu film | [7] | |
| 2026 | Jolliya Iruntha Oruthan | TBA | Tamil | [8] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 8th SIIMA Awards | Best Debut Actress | Naachiyaar | Nominated | [9] |
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | [9] |
References
- ↑ "Anuraga Karikkin Vellam review". Reelistic Views. 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ↑ Tamil The Hindu (21 February 2018). 'Jyothika helped me to cry' : 'Nachiyaar' Ivana Interview. Hindu Tamil Thisai. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2018 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Naachiyaar: A debut to remember for Ivana". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ↑ "Review : Naachiyaar review: A perfectly satisfying watch that (2018)". Sify. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ↑ "Naachiyaar Movie Review: Finally, a Bala film with a happy ending". India Today. 16 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ↑ "Naachiyaar movie review: Jyothika, GV Prakash Kumar shine in a surprisingly 'soft' Bala movie". The Indian Express. 16 February 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ↑ "Sree Vishnu's 18th film is titled 'Single'". Telugu Cinema. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ↑ "New Film in Kollywood🔥 Working Title — #Jio | #Jiiva47 Stars : Jiiva - Aleena Shaji (Ivana) Music : Yuvan Shankar Raja (GOAT) Direction : Rajesh M (SMS - Boss) Currently Shoot in Progress!!". Twitter. 27 October 2025.
- 1 2 "Awards 2018 – SIIMA". SIIMA. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.