Some journeys in cinema begin long before the camera starts rolling. For Sheena Chohan, the foundation of her career was built on the stage where discipline, curiosity, and a deep respect for the craft shaped the actor she is today.
Sheena spent nearly five years in theatre before entering films. One of her earliest performances was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an experience that introduced her to the rigour and joy of live performance. She later trained with theatre director Arvind Gaur, performing in numerous plays and street theatre productions. Those years taught her the importance of preparation and patience. More importantly, theatre helped her understand how to fully step into a character while remaining open to a director’s vision. It was this strong grounding that eventually carried her from stage performances to cinema screens.
Her film journey began in Malayalam cinema with The Train, where she starred opposite Mammootty. The experience marked her entry into the world of films and introduced her to a completely new storytelling environment. Soon after, she expanded her work into Bengali cinema, collaborating with acclaimed filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta on projects inspired by the writings of Rabindranath Tagore.
Over the years, Sheena has worked across several languages including Malayalam, Bengali, Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil. For her, every industry brings a new rhythm and cultural perspective. Adapting to different languages and storytelling styles has pushed her to observe more carefully and approach each role with fresh understanding. This diversity has quietly become one of her strengths as an actor.
What draws Sheena to a role is always the character. When she reads a script, she looks for women who have depth and purpose in the story. She is particularly interested in roles where the character evolves and contributes meaningfully to the narrative. For her, the most rewarding performances are those that allow her to discover something new about the person she is portraying. At the same time, she hopes the characters she plays reflect the resilience and strength many women carry in real life.
One of the most special milestones in her career came with the international film Ant Story. The film brought her global recognition and led to a Best Actress nomination at the Golden Goblet Awards in Shanghai, where she was nominated alongside actors like Keira Knightley and Kate Beckinsale. For Sheena, the moment was deeply humbling and a reminder that powerful storytelling connects audiences everywhere, regardless of language or geography.
More recently, she has taken on roles that explore history and mythology. In Sant Tukaram, Sheena portrays Avali, a strong and memorable character rooted in historical narratives. Preparing for the role required extensive research, from studying historical texts to spending time observing women in villages to understand their everyday strength and resilience. Working alongside Subodh Bhave and director Aditya Om made the experience even more enriching, allowing the team to bring a thoughtful and human perspective to the story.
Alongside her acting career, Sheena is also actively involved in human-rights advocacy through United for Human Rights. Her work with communities and young people has given her a deeper understanding of real-life struggles and courage. These experiences often shape the way she approaches her characters, helping her bring empathy and authenticity to the screen.
At this stage of her career, Sheena feels drawn to powerful storytelling — whether through biographical films, historical narratives, or mythological dramas. Projects like Sant Tukaram, the mythological exploration Lilith, and strong character-driven roles such as Arjuni Alirani reflect the direction she is excited to explore further.
For Sheena, cinema has always been about collaboration. She values working with directors who are passionate about storytelling and who enjoy exploring characters in depth. When that creative energy exists on set, she believes the process becomes as meaningful as the final film itself.
Looking ahead, her goal remains simple: to continue telling stories that connect with audiences and leave a lasting impression. Through every role she takes on, Sheena hopes to create characters that feel real, inspiring, and memorable — stories that stay with viewers long after the film has ended.
