Shamna Kasim, also known by her stage name Poorna, is an Indian actress, dancer, and model who appears in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films.
She was born on 23 May 1989 in Thayyil, Kannur, Kerala, India. She is 37 years old.
Kasim began her artistic journey as a trained performer in Bharatanatyam and other classical forms
She later moved into acting and took on roles that showed her strong facial expressions on screen. Those roles also proved that she could play different types of characters in a natural way.
Quick Facts of Shamna Kasim
| Full Name | Shamna Kasim |
| Profession | Actress, Dancer, Model |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Date of Birth | 23 May 1989 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Birthplace | Thayyil, Kannur, Kerala, India |
| Current Address | Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Gender | Female |
Shamna Kasim Early Life and Education
Shamna Kasim was born to a Malayalee couple in Kannur.
Education
She did her schooling at Ursuline Senior Secondary School.
Thereafter, Kasim shifted to St. Teresa’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School in Kannur to concentrate more on her dancing skills.
Later, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in English via correspondence.
| School | Ursuline Senior Secondary School, Kannur; St. Teresa’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Kannur |
| Alma Mater | Yet to be updated |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor of Arts in English |
Shamna Kasim Personal Life
On October 24, 2022, Shamna Kasim married businessman Shanid Asif, who is a business consultant and founder-CEO of JBS Group in Dubai.
The couple have a son, Hamdan Asif Ali.
In 2025, it is known that Poorna had her second child, named Dua Jameela.
Family
She was born the youngest of five children.
Her father is Kassim, a fisherman, and her mother is Ramla Beevi.
She has a brother, Shanavas and three sisters named Sheriffa, Arifa, and Shaina.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | Shanid Asif Ali |
| Children | Son: Hamdan Asif Ali Daughter: Dua Jameela |
| Parents | Father: Kassim Mother: Ramla Beevi |
| Siblings | Brother: Shanavas Kasim Sisters: Sheriffa Kasim, Arifa Kasim, Shaina Kasim |
Read also: South Indian Actress Name List With Photos
Shamna Kasim Career
She initially sought to be a classical dancer but moved into acting after participating in the Amrita TV reality dance competition Super Dancer.
Shamna Kasim began her career in the 2004 Malayalam film Manju Poloru Penkutty.
She continued to appear in several Malayalam films over the next two years, including Pachakuthira and Bhargavacharitham Moonam Khandam (2006).
In 2007, Shamna played her first major role in her debut Telugu film Sri Mahalakshmi.
Kasim also acted in the Malayalam movie Ali Bhai in the same year.
In 2008, Shamna played the lead female character in her first Tamil film, Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu.
In the same year, she also starred in the Tamil film Kodaikanal alongside Prashanth.
In the next year, Kasim’s biggest hit came with Jhossh, a Kannada movie.
In the same year, she also appeared in the Tamil film Kandhakottai.
In 2010, Kasim starred in the Tamil film Drohi alongside Vishal and Deepal Shaw.
In the next year, she appeared in multiple Tamil films like Aadu Puli, Vellore Maavattam, Vithagan and also in the Telugu film Seema Tapakai co-starring Allari Naresh.
In 2012, Kasim was best known for her Malayalam film Chattakkari, in which she played the role of Julie.
In the same year, she starred in the Telugu horror thriller Avunu, playing the ghost role of Mohini alongside Harshvardhan Rane.
In 2013, she appeared in the Malayalam film Aaru Sundarimaarude Katha and the Tamil film Jannal Oram alongside Jiiva.
In the next year, she acted in the Telugu film Laddu Babu alongside Allari Naresh.
In 2015, Shamna returned to Malayalam cinema with Mili alongside Nivin Pauly and Amala Paul.
In the same year, she reprised her ghost role in the Telugu sequel Avunu 2,
She also appeared in Raju Gari Gadhi alongside Ashwin Babu, which became a box office hit.
In 2016, she starred in the Telugu comedy Jayammu Nischayammu Raa opposite Rajendra Prasad.
In the same year, she appeared in the Tamil film Manal Kayiru 2 alongside Jai.
In the next year, Shamna played a lead role in Kodiveeran.
In 2018, she had a prominent role in the Tamil film Savarakathi as Subhadra alongside Mysskin.
In the same year, she appeared in the Malayalam films Oru Kuttanadan Blog and Aanakkallan, as well as the Tamil film Adanga Maru.
Kasim also starred in the Malayalam films Madhura Raja alongside Mammootty and Marconi Mathai alongside Jayasurya in 2019.
In the same year, she also appeared in the Tamil action film Kaappaan alongside Suriya.
In 2020, Kasim starred in the Tamil film Lock Up, which was released on ZEE5.
In the next year, she appeared in the acclaimed biopic Thalaivi directed by A.L. Vijay, portraying V.K. Sasikala alongside Kangana Ranaut.
In the same year, Kasim starred in the Telugu blockbuster Akhanda opposite Balakrishna, and also in Drushyam 2, co-starring Venkatesh Daggubati.
Shamna appeared in the Tamil film Visithiran alongside Vikranth in 2022.
In 2023, she starred in the Telugu film Dasara alongside Nani and Keerthy Suresh.
In the next year, Kasim appeared in the Tamil horror thriller Devil.
She also had a special appearance in the Telugu film Guntur Kaaram starring Mahesh Babu in 2024.
In 2025, she reprised her role as Padmavathi IAS in the highly anticipated Telugu sequel Akhanda 2: Thaandavam opposite Balakrishna.
Shamna Kasim Upcoming Film Projects
Her Tamil film Arjunan Kadhali is going to be released on 22 Aug 2026.
Shamna is set to appear in Pisasu 2 alongside Andrea Jeremiah. The film is in the stage of post-production.
In the upcoming film Sambavam, Kasim will play a lead role alongside V. Jayaprakash and Vijay Sethupathi.
Shamna Kasim Awards and Achievements
Shamna Kasim has received awards and recognition for her acting performances.
- SIIMA Award Nomination – Tamil (2019): Nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in Savarakathi (2018).
- SIIMA Award Nomination – Telugu (2022): Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Telugu blockbuster Akhanda (2021).
Shamna Kasim Controversies
Kasim has stayed away from controversies. However, there are controversies that are linked with her.
- Blackmail and Extortion Attempt (2020): In June 2020, Shamna Kasim became the target of an extortion attempt. A gang approached her family with a fraudulent marriage proposal, aiming to exploit her financially. Upon realising the deceit, Shamna filed a complaint with the police, leading to the arrest of several individuals involved.
- Reality TV Criticism (2021): In late 2021, Shamna faced minor backlash on social media. While serving as a judge on the Telugu reality show Dhee Champions, some of her interactions with contestants, specifically biting/kissing a contestant on the cheek.
Shamna Kasim Net Worth
Shamna Kasim’s net worth is approximately $1million-$2 million, and her charges per film are yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $1million-$2 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Shamna Kasim Height, Weight and Physical Stats
The following are Shamna’s physical appearances:
| Height | In centimetres: 160 cm In meters: 1.60 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 3 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 65 kg In lbs: 143 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 32-28-34 |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Shamna Kasim Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads, YouTube,Website
 @shamnakasim | |
| X |  @shamna_kkasim |
 @shamna poorna | |
| Threads |  @shamnakasim |
| YouTube |  @MyselfShamnakasim |
| Website |  @shamnakasimdance.com |
Interesting Facts about Shamna Kasim
- She was dubbed “the ghost queen of South films” by The Hindu after earning wide recognition for portraying ghost characters in multiple films.
- Shamna shaved her head completely bald for her role in the 2017 Tamil film Kodiveeran.
- In 2025, she announced her second pregnancy through an emotional Instagram post, expressing her excitement about their growing family.
- Shamna is the Founder & CEO of Shamna Kasim Dance Studio.
- Her Kannada film Jhossh, which completed 100 days in theatres, marked her biggest hit.
FAQs
Who is Shamna Kasim?
Shamna Kasim, also known by her stage name Poorna, is an Indian actress, dancer, and model who appears in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films.
How old is Shamna Kasim?
Shamna Kasim was born on 23 May 1989 in Thayyil, Kannur, Kerala, India. She is 37 years old.
What was Shamna Kasim’s first film?
She made her acting debut in the 2004 Malayalam film Manju Poloru Penkutty.
Which film gave Shamna Kasim wider recognition?
Her breakthrough came with the Kannada film Jhossh, which completed 100 days in theatres. She also gained widespread popularity through the Telugu horror film Avunu (2012) and its sequel.
Why is Shamna Kasim called Poorna?
Poorna is her stage name used across Tamil and Telugu cinema.
Who is Shamna Kasim’s husband?
Shamna Kasim is married to businessman Shanid Asif Ali. The couple tied the knot on October 24, 2022, in Dubai.
Does Shamna Kasim have children?
Shamna Kasim and her husband, Shanid Asif Ali, have a son named Hamdan Asif Ali, and they are expecting their second child in 2026.
