One of the most popular TV and film actors of Kannada and Malayalam entertainment industries, Chitra Shenoy has begun her career more than two decades ago. She made her film debut in 1990 with the Kannada movie Mouna Horata and since then has appeared in several movies. In 1999, she appeared in the movie Chaitrada Chiguru directed by K Shiva, which fetched her the Film Fans Best Supporting Actress Award. Some of her Kannada movies include Hrudaya Hrudaya (1999), Asura (2001), Ondagona Baa (2003), Hatavadi (2006), Kempe Gowda (2011), and Maduveya Mamatheya Kareyole (2016).

Although Chitra has majorly appeared in Kannada films, she has also been a part of several Malayalam films such as Raajamanikyam (2005), Father`s Day (2012), Kaanchi (2013), and Kavi Uddheshichathu (2016). She has also worked in a few Tamil films as well.

The actress is a prominent face in Malayalam and Kannada TV industries as well. Having gained wide acclaim for her role in the Malayalam daily soap Sthreedhanam. She even won the Asianet Television Award for Most Popular Actress for three consecutive years viz. 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2017, she appeared in the movie Rathaavara directed by Chandrashekar Bandiyappa. She is associated with the 2018 Kannada fantasy, mystery, romance Shivu Paru directed by America Suresh. Her 2019 release includes Adhyaksha In America, directed by Yoganand Muddan.