Jyothika was born on October 18, 1978, to a Punjabi Hindu father, Chander Sadanah, a film producer, and a Maharashtrian Muslim mother, Seema Sadanah. She has a half-sister, Nagma, a sister Roshini, and a brother Suraj.

Jyothika made her acting debut in the Hindi film Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, directed by Priyadarshan. Although she was nominated for Best Female Debut at the 44th Filmfare Awards and Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut, she did not win.

Jyothika starred in her first Tamil film, Vaali, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South, Cinema Express Award for Best Newface - Female and Dinakaran Award for the Best Female Debut. She also starred in Poovellam Kettuppar, where she played the love interest of Suriya, her future husband.

Jyothika gained prominence for her performance in Kushi, for which she won the Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award, Dinakaran Film Award for Best Actress & Cinema Express Award for Best Sensational Actress at the Cinema Express Awards.

Jyothika starred in a string of successful films, including Mugavaree, Dumm Dumm Dumm and Snegithiye. She also acted with Kamal Haasan in the comedy film Thenali.

Jyothika starred opposite Ajith Kumar in Poovellam Un Vaasam, which became a commercial hit. She won the Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil for her role in the film.

Jyothika collaborated with Mani Ratnam for the first time by appearing in his production house Madras Talkies' romantic comedy Dumm Dumm Dumm, alongside Madhavan. The film won positive acclaim and became a success not only in Tamil Nadu, but also in Andhra with its dubbed version.

Jyothika appeared in the Kannada film Nagarahavu opposite Upendra, playing a dual role. She won the Udaya Film Award for Best Actress along with Upendra for her Best Male Actor Award. She was also nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada.

Jyothika starred in Dhool with Vikram, Kaakha Kaakha with Suriya, and Thirumalai with Vijay, all of which were successful. She was nominated for Best Actress in Filmfare Awards South for her roles in Dhool and Kaakha Kaakha. She also won the International Tamil Film Awards Special Jury For Best Actress.

Jyothika starred in the Telugu film Tagore, opposite Chiranjeevi, which was screened at the International Indian Film Academy Awards and was a commercial success.

Jyothika acted in a double role in Perazhagan, opposite Suriya, and won the Tamil Nadu State Best Actress Award for the film.

Jyothika starred in Chandramukhi, acting alongside Rajinikanth for the first time. She won accolades for her performance, including a Tamil Nadu State Film Award and a Filmfare Awards Nomination.

Jyothika starred in Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, a crime thriller film written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Sillunu Oru Kaadhal, opposite Suriya.

Jyothika married Tamil actor Suriya on September 11, 2006, after several years of dating. They had worked together in seven films.

Jyothika starred in Pachaikili Muthucharam and Mozhi. Her role in Mozhi earned her widespread appreciation and brought her close to winning the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Jyothika appeared in a short film Herova? Zerova?, written and produced by her father-in-law Sivakumar, also starring Vijay, R. Madhavan and Suriya.

Jyothika made her comeback to Tamil Cinema with 36 Vayadhinile, a remake of the Malayalam film How Old Are You?. She received critical acclaim for her performance and was awarded the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress and Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Tamil.

Jyothika starred in Magalir Mattum, written and directed by Bramma, and produced by her husband Suriya.

Jyothika portrayed a leading female role in Mani Ratnam's project titled Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.

Jyothika appeared as a housewife in Kaatrin Mozhi, the Tamil remake of Vidya Balan's Tumhari Sulu, directed by Radha Mohan.

Jyothika starred in Raatchasi, Jackpot, and Thambi, winning accolades for her performance in Raatchasi, including the Behindwoods Gold Medal Award for Best Actor Lead Role (Female) and the Edison Award for Best Actress.

Jyothika starred in Ponmagal Vandhal, which premiered digitally on Amazon Prime Video and received mixed reviews. Her 50th film, Udanpirappe, was released directly on Amazon Prime Video on October 14, 2021.

Jyothika has been announced as the Zee Tamil channel's first brand ambassador.

Jyothika and her husband Suriya's Agaram Foundation donated ₹25 lakh to the Thanjavur government hospital in August 2020. In 2021, the production house donated ₹1 crore to the welfare of Tamil Nadu tribal community. In 2024, Jyothika and her husband donated Rs 50 lakh to the CM Relief Fund to provide relief to the Wayanad district of Kerala.

Jyothika starred in Kaathal – The Core, and her performance gained widespread critical acclaim. She was awarded the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Malayalam & was Nominated for Best Actress Category at the same Event, also she won Vanitha Film Awards for Best Actress at Vanitha Film Awards-2024.

Jyothika returned to the Hindi film industry after 24 years with Shaitaan, which received positive reviews and became the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of 2024.

Jyothika played a mentor in Srikanth co-starring Rajkummar Rao and Alaya F. She also played a major role in Netflix's series Dabba Cartel with Shabana Azmi.