Seema was born as only child to Chennai settled Malayali parents, Madhavan Nambiar and Vasanthy, at Purasawalkam, Chennai. Her father was from Thalassery and mother was from Ambalamedu, Thrippunithura. Her father was working with T.V.S Parcel Service, Madras. She grew up at Choolaimedu, Kodambakkam with her mother. She has two younger step brothers and a younger step-sister, Lakshmi.[ She had her primary education from P.N. Dhawan Adarsh Vidyalaya, Chennai.She is married to famous Malayalam movie director I.V. Sasi on 28 August 1980. The couple have a daughter Anu Milan and a son Ani sasi. Anu has acted in Sasi's movie Symphony. Veteran actor Vijayan gave her the name Seema.