Aveena's last pro bono project was SAE's Short-film 'Adele' (a true story about forced child marriage) produced with the help of a 10K grant won by director Mirene Iqwabi. Aveena plays 12 year old Adele's school teacher, her only confidante. In 2013, at the Brisbane 48Hour Film Festival Aveena was nominated for 'Best Actress in Lead role'. She is an active martial artist (Brown belt-2nd kyu) and has won numerous State and Regional karate tournaments achieving Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in both Kata and Kumite (sparring). In 2000 Aveena entered the 'Miss India New Zealand' Competition and was placed 2nd runner up. She also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at The University of Auckland, New Zealand.