From Stage to Screen: On World Theatre Day, Sheena Chohan Shares Glimpses of Her Journey and What Theatre Taught Her

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 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 that integrated her training in dance and martial arts, shaping her ability to fully inhabit characters and understand their emotional depth.

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 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 performance.

“Dear Theatre,
You have been my greatest teacher, shaping how I approach every character and performance. From you, I learned how to truly understand and inhabit a character—how to research, build their world, and bring authenticity to every moment. You taught me professionalism, discipline, and the art of surrendering completely to the story, so I can be a blank page for my directors and bring their vision to life. Every role I perform carries your lessons and my love for the craft. For this, I am endlessly grateful.”
Said Sheena, penning a heartfelt note to theatre.

Arvind Gaur, Sheena’s theatre guru—who also trained actors like Kangana Ranaut—under whom she trained for five years, performing in numerous street plays, recently watched her Bollywood debut in Sant Tukaram, marking a full circle from her theatre journey to film.

Arvind Gaur said:

“Sheena is a true director’s actress, completely devoted to the story and the director’s vision. She’s honest, disciplined, professional. She is a true joy to work with—she commits fully to every character and brings the director’s vision to life with focus, passion, commitment and dedication.”

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 reflects theatre’s enduring influence—fueling her discipline, passion, and deep connection to storytelling.