'Being A Voice For Women...': Actor Sheena Chohan Talks Art, Activism, And Impact

There are actors who simply perform, and then there are actors who live their art as an extension of who they are. Sheena Chohan firmly belongs to the latter. After years of rigorous training in theatre and over a decade in cinema, she has emerged as an artiste who treats every role as a study of the character, of human nature, of herself.

But to describe Sheena simply as an actor would be incomplete. She is also a human rights advocate promoting women's equality and education; a commitment that deeply influences her on-screen characters, giving them strength, sensitivity, depth, and a distinct 'Sheena touch'.

In Sheena's recent Hindi debut film, Sant Tukaram (2025), she essays Avali Jijabai, the wife of the revered 17th-century saint-poet (played by Subodh Bhave), remembered as a woman of immense strength and quiet resilience. "I read every little book I could about her and even hired a translator to help me with the texts in Marathi," she told SheThePeople in an interview. "I even watched the previous Sant Tukaram films to study her character."

"I really learned so much and was able to commit to my director Aditya Om's vision, allowing him to shape the character. I am playing a 300-year-old woman who is still studied in history books in Maharashtra. She and her husband were revolutionaries who fought against injustice and the caste system. That kind of historical depth really required discipline and lots of research. These are the kind of characters that allow me to [merge] my art with my activism."

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Sheena's performance has been hailed as one that lends Avali not just grace, but also strategic intelligence and emotional depth. Even actor Sushmita Sen, who was one of Sheena's earliest mentors, lauded her work in a recent social media post, reading, 'Your ability to have always shown gratitude & grace makes me so proud to have the privilege of being your mentor... I know you will continue to grow from strength to strength, every success earnestly earned & richly deserved.'

Early inspirations

Sheena grew up in Kolkata, in a traditional Punjabi household, training in martial arts, kathak, violin, and theatre. Her versatility across disciplines came from her mother, who, despite societal restrictions, always nurtured her creative pursuits. "My mother was not allowed to work, but she really supported me in all my dreams. My father passed away when I was young, but my mother took me to karate classes, to dance lessons, to theatre rehearsals, everything." 

She also credits her early mentors in acting and pageantry with influencing her entry into the entertainment industry. "I got really involved in theatre in college and did a lot of plays with Delhi's leading theatre guru, Arvind Gaur," she shared. "My mentorship with Sushmita Sen taught me professionalism, discipline, and a commitment to the business of acting, as well as how to carry myself with dignity as a woman. I think all these things have shaped me into becoming who I am."

Meaningful storytelling

Sheena got her big silver-screen break opposite Malayalam cinema veteran, Mammootty, in The Train, directed by national-award winner Jayaraj. That role firmly established her presence within India's elite cinema circles. She then worked with another national-award-winning director, Budhadev Dasgupta, and internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, among others. Her roles in the popular web series ExMates, The Fame Game, and The Trial left a strong impression on audiences.

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Sheena describes her diverse film journey as 'unconventional', marked by years of hard work, exploration, and the joy of inhabiting characters that leave an impact. In her upcoming pan-India film, Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam, Sheena will play a feisty police officer. She is also set for her Hollywood debut with Nomad. In another upcoming project, she will portray the mythological character Lilith, who was banished from the Garden of Eden for fighting inequality. 

"I'm attracting all of this," Sheena expressed. "I think there is a kind of revolutionary, revolting spirit inside me that [draws me to] characters through whom I am able to communicate about equality. I am fighting for this, not directly, but through my art and activism; by being a voice for women who deserve a basic equal place in society."

Despite her growing success, Sheena remains remarkably humble, always reflecting on the lessons she took away from each project, mentor, and co-actor. "There are obviously going to be a lot of challenges in your career, there's going to be rejection and a lot of struggle," she expressed, continuing, "I don't have a godfather in the industry, but really committing to my dream and staying true to that goal is the kind of professionalism, discipline, and commitment I stand for."

Impact beyond the screen

As a public figure with a strong platform and visibility, Sheena understands her influence extends far beyond the screen. For over a decade, she has been an Ambassador (South Asia) for the non-governmental organisation, United for Human Rights. In 2024, she became the first Indian actor to have won the Human Rights Hero award at the United Nations. Sheena said that she has travelled across the subcontinent, spreading her message of gender equality.

"One of my focuses is on women's safety and empowerment, and I think the way to achieve that is by educating boys about equality and non-discrimination when they're still young," Sheena said. "That's why I've been calling for mandatory human rights education in every school in India... My future goals are really connected with portraying characters that bring a positive impact on women's empowerment, and also working on my activism side by side."

Whether it's a justice-driven cop or a she-demon challenging inequality, Sheena’s commitment to portraying powerful women and unique storytelling shines through, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and inspiring change. As she continues to explore pan-Indian cinema, international projects, and advocacy, she personifies a mix of talent, discipline, humility, and purpose. In her own words, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it”, a philosophy she lives both on screen and in life.