Lena is an Indian actress, author, scriptwriter, YouTuber, and psychologist, who has predominately worked in the Malayalam entertainment industry. She hit the headlines in February 2024 after she revealed her marriage to Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, the commander of the Gaganyaan mission.
Wiki/Biography
Lena Kumar, known as Lena Prasanth after marriage, was born on Wednesday, 18 March 1981 (age 43 years; as of 2024) in Thrissur, Kerala, India. Her zodiac sign is Pisces.
A childhood photo of Lena Kumar
She did her schooling at the Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Thrissur, Kerala. She was a state-level rank holder in class 12th board exams.
A photo of Lena taken when she was in school
Thereafter, she enrolled at the Prajyoti Niketan College in Puthukkad, Kerala, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in science in psychology. She topped her class. After graduation, she started acting in films; however, she quit acting to earn a post-graduate degree. For this, she enrolled at a college in Mumbai, where she earned a post-graduate degree in psychology. After completing her formal education, she began working as a psychologist. However, she quit her job as she was dissatisfied with the job. In an interview, she spoke about it and said,
It was very draining and disturbing. Dealing with people who are disturbed is very strenuous. I was planning to do my doctorate in psychology, but I realised it was not for me. Acting is more enjoyable, besides it pays well too.”
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Weight (approx.): 65 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Figure Measurements (approx.): 34-32-34
Lena posing for a photo with Dino Morea
Family
Parents & Siblings
Her father, Mohankumar Thathampilly (also spelt as T. Mohan Kumar), is a psychologist who has taught behavioural sciences at SBI Staff Training College in Hyderabad. His mother’s name is Tina Mohan Kumar. She has a younger sister named Tasha Kumar.
Lena and her parents posing for a photo
Husband & Children
Her ex-husband’s name is Abhilash Kumar. He works in the Malayalam film industry as a screenwriter. The couple got married to each other on 16 January 2004. However, they got divorced in 2013.
A photo of Lena Kumar with Abhilash Kumar
Her husband, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, is a group captain in the Indian Air Force. In February 2024, he was chosen as the commander of a 4-man team of astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission, which is to take place in 2025. The couple got married to each other on 17 January 2024.
P. Balakrishnan Nair with Lena posing for a photo
Lena revealed her marriage with Nair to the public through an Instagram post on 27 February 2024, after PM Narendra Modi’s announcement regarding the selection of Nair for the Gaganyaan project. According to her, it was an arranged marriage. Lena also claimed that she maintained secrecy about her marriage to Prasanth to avoid any potential interference with his work as an astronaut.
An Instagram post uploaded by Lena about her marriage
Relationships/Affairs
Leena entered a relationship with Abhilash Kumar when they both studied in the same school. According to Abhilash, Lena’s mother initially was against their relationship and even asked him numerous times to stop contacting Lena. However, Lena’s parents approved their relationship after they both began working.
A photo of Abhilash Kumar
Religion
Lena follows Hinduism.
Career
Film
She made her acting debut in the Malayalam film industry in 1998 with the film Sneham. She essayed the role of a character named Ammu.
A poster of the 1998 Malayalam film Sneham
In 2000, she appeared in the highly acclaimed Malayalam film Karunam. In the film, she played the role of a Christian nun.
A photo of Lena taken on the sets of Karunam
Throughout her career as an actor, Lena has appeared in many blockbuster Malayalam films such as Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal (2000), Big B (2007), Daddy Cool (2009), Robin Hood (2009), Traffic (2011), Spirit (2012), Kanyaka Talkies (2013), Njangalude Veettile Athidhikal (2014), Monster (2022), Oh My Darling (2023), and Article 21 (2023).
Lena with Mohanlal on the sets of Monster
She made her debut in the Tamil film industry with the 2015 film Anegan in which she essayed the role of a doctor named Radhika. In the film, she shared the screen with the popular Indian actor Dhanush.
A poster of the Tamil film Anegan
In 2016, she appeared in her first Bollywood film Airlift. In the film, she shared the screen with renowned Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and essayed the role of a character named Deepti Jayarajan.
Lena Kumar in a still from the Bollywood film Airlift
She made her debut in the Telugu film industry in 2017 with the film Dr. Chakravarthy. In the film, she appeared as Vandana Chakravarthy.
Dr. Chakravarthy’s poster
In 2023, she appeared in an English film titled Footprints on Water. She made her debut as a scriptwriter with the Malayalam film Olam in 2023.
A poster of Olam
Television & Web Series
In 2002, she made her debut in the Malayalam television industry with the Asianet show Sneha. From 2005 to 2006, Lena appeared as a character named Jancy in the Asianet TV show Omanathinkal Pakshi.
Lena in a still from the serial Omanathinkal Pakshi
She went on to appear in many famous Malayalam daily soap operas such as Thadangal Palayam (2006) on Asianet, Kanal Kireedam (2009) on Surya TV, Alavudeente Albhuthavilakku (2010-2011) on Asianet, Satyameva Jayate (2013-2014) on Surya TV, and Manjuthirum Munpe (2014) on DD Malayalam. Her first web series in the Telugu language is Shaitan, which was streamed on Disney+ Hotstar in 2023. In it, she appeared as a character named Mary Joseph.
Poster of the 2023 Telugu web series ‘Shaitan’
Music Albums
Other than acting in films, TV serials, and web series, Lena has also been spotted in many Malayalam song albums. Some popular albums are Pranayam (1995), Pranayathin Ormakkayi (2005), and Amma Manasam.
Other Works in The Entertainment Industry
Lena Kumar dubbed the 2001 Malayalam film Randam Bhavam. In 2022, she lent her voice to dub the dialogues of Raveena Tandon’s character in Malayalam in the Kannada film K.G.F: Chapter 2. She has also hosted various shows including Your Choice on Asianet, Amul Sangeetha Mahayudham on Surya TV, and Vivel Big Break on Surya TV. She has also endorsed various brands, such as Grandma’s, MJ Foods, Indulekha Bringha Hair Oil, and Maruthua Pharma Pancha Jeeraka Gudam.
YouTuber
On 12 March 2015, Lena started her YouTube channel named Lenaa’s Magazine. On the channel, she posts vlogs about her travel experiences, fitness, and food. As of March 2024, she has more than 56.2K subscribers.
A snip of Lena’s YouTube channel
Controversy
Remarks on Allopathic Medicines and Treatment of Mental Illnesses
Lena hit the headlines in 2023, after she, in an interview, made some controversial remarks regarding the mode of treatment offered to the patients by psychologists and psychiatrists. She criticised the use of allopathy and raised questions about its effectiveness. After the statement, the Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (Kerala region) issued a statement in which it criticised her for her remarks. The association also claimed that Lena only has a degree in psychology and is not a certified psychologist to make such remarks. They called her statement an attempt to “mislead the public and create a wrong impression about the field of clinical psychology.” Their statement read,
We, as an association, want to make it clear that Ms Lena is not a member of our organisation, and we do not endorse or have any responsibility for her statements or views. We hope that this statement helps to clarify the situation and reaffirms our commitment to upholding the standards and ethics of the clinical psychology profession in Kerala.”
She, however, defended herself by claiming that every citizen of India has the right to the Freedom of Speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian constitution. She also said that the remarks were only her views.
Awards
2008
- Kerala State TV Award – Best Actress for the show Aranazhika Neram
- Atlas Kerala Film Critics Award – Best Second Actress for the show Chillu Vilakkumayi
2011
- Filmfare Award South – Best Supporting Actress (Malayalam) for the film Traffic
- Amrita Film Award – Best Supporting Actress for the film Traffic
- Kerala Film Critics Association Award – Second Best Actor (Female) for the films Traffic and Athe Mazha Athe Veyil
2012
- Asianet Film Award – Best Supporting Actress for the film Spirit
2013
- Kerala State Film Award – Second Best Actress for the films Left Right Left and Kanyaka Talkies
A photo of Lena’s Kerala State Film Award For Left Right Left and Kanyaka Talkies
- South Indian International Movie Award (SIIMA) – Best Supporting Actor (Female) for the film Left Right Left
2014
- Thikkurissi Foundation Award for her contribution to the Malayalam cinema
Lena receiving the Thikkurissi Foundation Award
2015
- Kerala Film Critics Association Award – Second Best Actor (Female) for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen
- Asianet Film Award – Best Character Actress for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen
- Vanitha Film Award – Best Supporting Actor (Female) for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen
Lena Kumar holding her Vanitha Award
- South Indian International Movie Award (SIIMA) – Best Supporting Actor (Female) for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen
- Filmfare Award South – Best Supporting Actor (Female) for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen
Lena posing for a photo with her Filmfare Award for Ennu Ninde Moideen
- IIFA Utsavam Award – Performance In A Supporting Role (Female) for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen
The IIFA Utsavam Award of Lena
2016
- South Indian International Movie Award (SIIMA)
Lena posing for a photo with her SIIMA 2016 award
2018
- Master Vision International Excellency Award for her contribution to the Malayalam cinema
2019
- Toronto International South-Asian Film Award (TISFA) – Best Supporting Actress for the films Adam Joan and Vimaanam
- Janmabhumi Legends Of Kerala Award – Best Supporting Actress
- South Indian International Movie Award (SIIMA) – Best Supporting Actor (Female) for the film Aadhi
- Ramu Kariat Award – Best Character Actress
A poster announcing Lena’s reception of the Ramu Kariat Award
2024
- Bharatiya Excellence Awards for 25 Years Of Contribution To the Indian Cinema
A photo of Lena taken when she was receiving the Bharatiya Excellence Award
Car Collection
She owns an MG Hector.
Lena posing for a photo with her MG Hector
Tattoo(s)
- Lena Kumar got a tattoo of an eye, a flower, a butterfly, and brahmaivahmaha inked on her upper left arm.
Lena Kumar’s tattoo on her left arm
- Lena got a word in Sanskrit tattooed on her left inner upper arm.
Lena’s tattoo on her inner left arm
- She got a tattoo of flying birds inked on her left forearm.
Leena’s tattoos on her left forearm
- Lena has many tattoos inked on her body.
A collage of the tattoos Lena has inked on her body
Facts/Trivia
- Her name is also spelt as Lenaa. She revealed in an interview that she added an extra “a” to her name to have a better vibrational frequency after getting inspired by the shlokas written in the Hindu scriptures.
- When Lena was born, her father had sent a letter to her mom, Tina, suggesting that she be named ‘Lena’. He had actually meant ‘Leena,’ but the mistake went unnoticed, so Lena became her name.
- Many fans refer to her as Lady Mammootty.
- Lena began writing scripts for plays when she was in school. Her skills came to the attention of her principal, who recommended her name to the director of her first Malayalam film.
- She underwent Bharatanatyam and music training while studying in school.
- Lena was asked to come to the police station after she was caught by the cops for riding a scooter without a license when she was in Class 12th. According to her, the cops came to her house and took her and her father to the police station as she failed to come to the station.
- After acting in the first few films, Lena quit acting to pursue a master’s degree. She, however, returned to acting later.
- Lena is a believer in the cycle of death and rebirth. In an interview, she said that in her previous life, she was a Buddhist monk in the Himalayas. She even shaved her head for a 2-month long solo trip to Nepal to tour the Nepal-Tibet border. She said,
I was a Buddhist monk, and I died at the age of 63. Maybe, that is why I tonsured my head and felt the spontaneous call to visit the Himalayas. I had died near the Tibet-Nepal border. I remember the entire lifetime and that’s why I felt like going there.”
A photo of Lena Kumar taken after she shaved her head
- She is a travel enthusiast and has been to many countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, many sources claimed that she had contracted the virus. However, she later posted a COVID test report on social media, claiming the reports to be false.
Instagram post uploaded by Lena
- Lena Kumar consumes alcohol occasionally.
An Instagram post uploaded by Lena
- She follows a non-vegetarian diet.
A snip of a post uploaded by Lena on Instagram
- In an interview, Lena revealed that she ate gulab jamun after parting ways with Abhilash Kumar. She talked about it and said,
Half an hour later when the lawyer came to inform us, we are next, he saw us sharing a gulab jamun.”
- She passionately follows her hobby of reading. She has read many books written by Osho on life and spirituality.
Lena posing for a photo with a book
- She considers Mohanlal to be her spiritual guru.
- Lena is a mask-maker and has made masks of many film characters such as Heath Ledger’s Joker.
- She has taken part in many literary fests in and outside India.
A photo of Lena taken at the Kerala Literature Fest
- In November 2022, Lena was invited to give a speech at the talk show TEDx Talks.
A photo of Lena taken while she was giving a speech at TEDx
- While giving an interview, Lena expressed her support for renaming India as Bharat. She said,
We have to go back to our roots. I believe there is something good, wisdom there. Moreover, a colonial power named us India. We changed so many names here – Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata…. So why not this change? Bharat is a very powerful name in our literature.”
- In 2023, Lena Kumar published a book titled The Autobiography of God.
The Autobiography of God’s cover page
- When asked why she did not have kids with Abhilash Kumar, Lena said,
We’d decided long back that we wouldn’t have children. We know the kind of persons we are and having children wouldn’t fit into the kind of work we both do.”
- Lena Kumar has also earned a certificate in Digital Product System (cum laude) from the DPS Board of Trustees.
A photo of the degree received by Lena Kumar
- Her favourite line from the Upnashidas is “Om Poornnam-Adah Poornnam-Idam Poornnaat-Poornnam-Udacyate, Poornnasya Poornnam-Aadaaya Poornnam-Eva-Avashissyate.”
- Popular Indian-American motivational speaker, life coach, and social media influencer Jay Shetty follow her on Instagram.
A snip of Lena Kumar’s Instagram account
- On 27 February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pinned astronaut wings on the uniform of her husband Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair.
A photo of Balakrishnan Nair with Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he was pinning the astronaut wings on his chest
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education