Despite being a professional doctor, her true passion laid in acting. She started her acting journey during her medical studies. Blessed with exceptional talent, she won the ‘Mihir Mukherjee Memorial’ Best Actress award for four successive years while in college.

In the 1960s, Sudharani Jena ventured into the cinematic world with her debut film ‘Parinama‘, produced by Kabiraj Krushnachandra Tripathy Sharma. In ‘Parinama’, she was credited as Geetisudha. She played pivotal role as a mother in ‘Gapa Hele Bi Sata’, the first complete color Odia film.

Her remarkable performances in prominent films such as ‘Ram Balram’, ‘Kaveri’, ‘Jhiati Sita Pari’, ‘Sankha Mahuri’, and ‘Topae Sindura Di Pata Sankha,’ earned her wide recognition.

However, Jena was more than just an accomplished actor; she was a figure of many talents, embodying versatility in its truest sense. Her contributions to the film industry reflected her multifaceted persona.