Lena Mohan Kumar (born 1981),[1] known by stage name Lenaa, is an Indian actress, author,[2] and screenwriter[3] who appears predominantly in Malayalam cinema. In a career spanning more than 25 years, Lenaa has worked in over 175 films in five different languages, including blockbusters as well as critically acclaimed films in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.[4]
In 2023, she published her first book as an author titled The Autobiography of God (published by Beeja House). The book covers her journey and perspectives on mental health and coincides with her ventures as a motivational speaker and a transformation coach.[5]
Lena was born to Mohan Kumar and Tina at Thrissur, Kerala. Her mother Tina is a Catholic. She attended Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School,[6] and Hari Sri Vidya Nidhi School in Thrissur.
Lena is a postgraduate in Clinical psychology. She worked as a clinical psychologist in Mumbai before entering her acting career.[7] In 2020, she said she had plans for a directorial debut as she confirmed the completion of the first draft of a new project.[8]
Lena married Abhilash Kumar in 2004, whom she divorced in 2013.[9] On 27 February 2024, she announced that she had married Group Captain Prasanth Nair, an astronaut designated for the Gaganyaan mission to space.[10]
Lena made her debut in Jayaraj's Sneham, which was followed by critically acclaimed Karunam. She had already established as a lead actress in the Malayalam television industry with serials like Omanathinkalpakshi, Ohari, Malayogam and Thadankalpalayam before focusing on her film career. She is also a television host and manages the YouTube Vlogging channel – Lena's Magazine.[11] She has over 100 films to her credit in Malayalam cinema along with films in English,[12] Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages.[13]
Some of her noted performances were in the critically acclaimed Traffic (2011) after which she acted in films such in Snehaveedu, Ee Adutha Kaalathu, Spirit, Left Right Left and Ennu Ninte Moideen in supporting roles.[7] Lenaa will star alongside Adil Hussain (Parched, Hotel Salvation) in a British-Indian feature titled Footprints On Water, to be directed by Nathalia Syam.[14]