As award-winning pan-Indian actress Sheena Chohan celebrates her birthday, the spotlight is firmly on an exciting line-up of upcoming releases that showcase the breadth of her choices as a performer. Spanning theatrical releases, OTT series, international cinema and festival films, her slate reflects an actor committed to deeply understanding and creating female lead characters rather than repetition.
Known for immersing herself in every role through extensive research, observation and character-building, Sheena approaches each project with the philosophy of becoming a blank page for her directors. Whether portraying a police officer, a mythical she-devil, a traveller, a ghost or a socially rooted protagonist, she believes every character deserves its own voice, psychology and journey.
1. Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam – A Determined Police Officer
In the pan-India thriller opposite J. D. Chakravarthy, Sheena plays a female police officer. To prepare, she shadowed a Mumbai policewoman, observing her work, discipline and interactions. She also created a detailed emotional backstory, exploring the motivations and experiences that shaped the character, allowing the performance to emerge from authenticity rather than stereotype.
2. Bhaayava – A She-Devil Inspired by Lilith
In the upcoming web series Bhaayava, Sheena takes on one of her most unconventional roles yet-a she-devil inspired by the mythology of Lilith. Her preparation involved studying historical and literary interpretations of Lilith, the story of Adam and Eve, and the symbolism surrounding Lilith’s banishment from the Garden of Eden. She combined that research with an imagined emotional history to create a layered and psychologically rich character.
3. Nomad – A Woman Defined by the Journey
Directed by Darren Lexton, Nomad follows the journey of a traveller searching for meaning across the world. Sheena watched documentaries and travel journals to understand what drives people to embrace a life of constant movement. Drawing from her own experiences as an avid traveller, she brought an authentic sense of curiosity, freedom and emotional depth to the role.
4. Justice – A Ghost Searching for Her Own Coffin
Directed by Bappaditya Bandopadhyay, Justice tells three parallel stories, with Sheena portraying a ghost searching for her own coffin. Filmed in the mystical landscapes of Cherrapunji, the character evolved organically through close collaboration with the director. The haunting environment, combined with the film’s mysterious atmosphere, helped shape a performance built on instinct, silence and emotional presence.
5. Arjunain Allirani – A Fierce temple singer, Village Woman
In Arjunain Allirani, Sheena plays Rani, a Dalit village woman from Tamil Nadu. Her preparation is already underway, including intensive stick-fighting training alongside martial arts, complementing her existing brown belt. Sheena is travelling into the villages of Tamil Nadu, living with village women, participating in workshops, spending time with local singers, and studying their body language as part of her immersive character preparation. She is also researching the cultural and social realities of the character to portray her resilience, strength and humanity with honesty and respect.
6. One More & Amar Prem – Stories That Challenge Social Norms
One More and Amar Prem, both launched at the Cannes Film Festival, see Sheena portraying housewives navigating deeply rooted social realities. While One More is a psychological thriller centred on women’s safety and the trauma of sexual violence, Amar Prem explores relationships and societal expectations through a complex love triangle. For both roles, Sheena immersed herself in understanding the emotional journeys of women challenging oppression and finding their voice.
Sheena Chohan says, “Birthdays always make me pause and feel grateful. I’m thankful for all the wonderful projects that are in the pipeline and for the love and trust my directors and audiences have shown me. What excites me the most is that every upcoming release allows me to step into a completely different world and play characters that are so unique from one another. I hope audiences enjoy watching these different shades of me as much as I have enjoyed bringing them to life. I’m looking forward to the coming year with immense gratitude, excitement, and hope.”
As Sheena Chohan steps into another promising year, her growing slate of diverse projects reflects her commitment to craft, meaningful storytelling and constant artistic evolution. With audiences set to witness her in a range of powerful and unconventional roles across films and OTT, the year ahead looks especially exciting. Here’s wishing Sheena Chohan a very Happy Birthday and an incredible year filled with success, memorable performances, and many more milestones. 🎉
