On World Theatre Day, actress Sheena Chohan reflects on a journey that began when she was just two years old. Introduced to the stage in Calcutta by her aunt, she made her first appearance as a baby performer—an early spark that would grow into a lifelong passion. Her formative years in theatre deepened when she played Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Padatik, where she began honing her craft with discipline and dedication.
After moving to The Lawrence School, Kasauli, Sheena continued performing, appearing in her first school play alongside Yuvraj Singh, grandson of Pran. Over time, she took part in more than a dozen productions, including musicals and performances that integrated her training in dance and martial arts. These experiences taught her how to fully inhabit characters—understanding their emotional depth and internal worlds.
Her move to Delhi marked another significant phase, where she trained and performed under noted theatre practitioner Arvind Gaur. Through numerous street theatre productions, she learned to connect directly with audiences, bringing stories to life in raw and immediate ways.
This strong theatrical foundation eventually led her to cinema, where she debuted alongside Mammootty and later worked with acclaimed filmmaker Buddhadev Dasgupta. From projects like Netflix’s Ant Story to her Hindi debut Sant Tukaram, Sheena has carried the discipline and emotional authenticity of theatre into every screen performance.
“Dear Theatre,
You have been my greatest teacher, shaping how I approach every character, every scene, and every performance. From you, I learned how to truly understand and inhabit a character—how to research, build their world, and bring authenticity to every gesture, every word. You taught me professionalism, discipline, and the art of submitting myself completely to the story, so I can be a blank page for my directors, ready to bring their visions to life. Every role I perform carries your lessons—the patience, the depth, the humility, and the love for the craft. You gave me the foundation to connect deeply with my characters, to honor the story, and to be a vessel for the imagination of every filmmaker and director I work with. For this, I am endlessly grateful.” Said Sheena, penning a heartfelt note to the theatre.
Arvind Gaur, Sheena’s theatre guru under whom she trained—who also trained actors like Kangana Ranaut and under whom Sheena trained for five years and performed in numerous street plays at the in Delhi, and working in over a dozen plays like Gandhi and Ambedkar, as Sarojini Naidu, to Ek Mamooli Aadmi, recently came to watch her Bollywood debut in Sant Tukaram, marking a full circle from her theatre journey to her first film.
Arvind Gaur said: “Sheena ki dedication aur craft ke liye commitment use bahut door le jayegi. Maine unke saath theatre mein director ke roop mein kaam kiya hai aur unhe har film mein grow karte dekha hai. She’s honest, disciplined, professional, completely devoted to her craft, and a true joy to work with—she commits fully to every character and brings the director’s vision to life with focus, passion, and ease.”
Continuing to stay rooted in theatre, Sheena recently performed Laila Majnu at Prithvi Theatre and NCPA Mumbai with Surnai Theatre, led by Ila Arun. Her journey stands as a testament to theatre’s enduring influence in shaping her craft and artistry—fueling her passion, discipline, and connection to storytelling.
