Shoba was born to Malayali parents in Madras and began her career in the Tamil film industry as a child industry in 'Thattungal Thirakkappadum' (1966). She played a lead role in the 1978 Malayalam film 'Uthrada Rathri'.
Considered one of the best talents to emerge in the Indian film industry, Shoba had a promising career but sadly, her career was cut short as she committed suicide due to unknown reasons in 1980.