Baripada: Once known by her endearing nickname “Mamali,” Sushree Padmaja has taken the Odia television landscape by storm with her compelling portrayal of Mallika, the main antagonist in the popular Sidharth TV soap opera, Sindura Khela. Her performance has garnered widespread acclaim, surprising critics and viewers alike who laud her as a mature, smart, progressive, and undeniably talented actor poised for a significant career in the Odia film industry.
For this young and dynamic artist from Baripada, acting is more than a profession; it’s a lifelong calling. Despite achieving academic excellence, including a stellar performance in her Integrated B.Ed. Course from Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University and a Masters in Economics, Sushree Padmaja consciously chose the challenging path of acting, determined to earn her place organically through sheer talent and popular appeal.
Her journey into the performing arts began at a young age, with tutelage under revered gurus: (late) Banamali Behera for Odissi, Sambhunath Das for Chhau, and Hrudananda Barik for Modern dance. Mamali’s dream of becoming an actress was unwavering. The untimely loss of her father, Prabhas Chandra Lenka, when she was small, did not deter her, thanks to the unwavering support of her mother, Meera Jena, who stood by her like a rock, navigating life’s difficulties to nurture her dreams and prepare her for future challenges.
Unlike many in the entertainment field, Sushree Padmaja consistently prioritized her academics, securing scholarships in Class V, VII, and the National Rural Talent Scholarship (NRTS) in Class IX. She also excelled in extracurricular activities, winning state-level prizes in debates, elocution, and essay-writing competitions. Her academic prowess even earned her a laptop for her excellent marks in Plus Two. Yet, all the while, her focus remained firmly on her acting aspirations, actively engaging in all forms of extracurricular activities throughout her school and college days.
Sushree Padmaja’s screen journey commenced at the tender age of nine with the documentary Miru. Her acting talent was further honed under the guidance of veteran theatre and film personality Dhira Basa from Baripada, during her time at Pandey Nodal Upper Primary & Middle English School, located in the cultural heart of North Odisha.
Her extensive portfolio includes appearances in over 25 productions. On television, she has left her mark as Kuhu in ETV’s Gayatri and as the titular character in Lakshya channel’s Dharitri. Notably, she also served as “Kuni Reporter” for Mayurbhanj district under Kamyab news channel. Demonstrating her versatility, she has acted as a child artist in the Santhali film Jui Jui, the Bengali film The Guest House, and the Odia satellite film Sathi Khojuchi Sathi. More recently, she featured in the Odia web series Mukha Rakta Tirtha. Before her major television break, she also graced several music albums, including Sindura, To Isara, Prema Jebe Assi Chue, and Ore Priya.
Beyond the screen, Sushree Padmaja has a rich history of stage performances across Odisha, including Rourkela, her hometown Baripada, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and even Prasanthi in Andhra Pradesh, often playing lead roles. Her talent was recognized with a best actress award for a performance in Rourkela.
Her current role as Mallika in Sindura Khela on Sidharth TV has solidified her position, drawing rave reviews from all segments of the audience. Her significant contributions and enterprising spirit as a young woman were recently acknowledged with the prestigious WAO (Women Achievers of Odisha) award, which she secured among 17 formidable contenders.
Having overcome personal adversity, particularly the loss of her father, and forging her path with unwavering determination and the steadfast emotional and moral support of her mother, Meera, Sushree Padmaja is now poised to reach new heights. She aims to etch her name among the most successful actors of Odisha and emerge as one of the few luminous stars from Mayurbhanj, especially Baripada – a city already renowned for nurturing many of the Odia film industry’s leading talents.