Jena played Laila in Razia Sultan and then later proceeded to act in some Odia films.

Jena performed in Hindi and Odia films, television serials like Ek Kahani, Vikram Betaal, Param Veer Chakra and TV plays like Gogol's Inspector General, Mahesh Elkunchwar's Aks Aur Aina.

Hindi films include K. A. Abbas's The Naxalites, Kamal Amrohi's Razia Sultan, Ketan Mehta's Holi.

Jena also appeared in Ismail Merchant's British film, The Deceivers, directed by Nicholas Meyer.

Tara was completed with a budget of approximately US$20,000, which Jena borrowed from family members and national and state government agencies.

[7] In 2022, following her stint as part of the international jury panel at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Jena made an English language short film, Winter Interlude[8] with an international crew including the likes of Estonian actor, Ott Aardam and composer Gene Pritsker.