Actress Sheena Chohan’s favourite South-Indian films & directors: A peek into her inspirations ahead of her South trilingual film debut.

Sheena Chohan made her on-screen debut opposite  Malayalam megastar Mammootty in the action movie ‘The Train’ directed by 7-time National-award winning director Jayaraj, where she managed to impress with her acting right from the word ‘Action’. Since her South debut, Sheena has gone on to play the lead in seven films, three with National Award Winning directors and be nominated for Best Actress in Dubai and Shanghai for her film Ant Story, which was bought by Netflix. but as Sheena now returns south for her Telegu debut alongside JD Chakravathy, what does Sheena feel about this booming industry? Who are her favourite directors and which are some of her favourite films? On being asked more about the same, Sheena gets candid and shares and we quote:

“The industry is known for its dynamics and versatility and I am so proud to have started my career here. This South has given the country some of the finest directors and films and henceforth, I take immense pride in calling myself an actor who has her roots in the South. While I have a huge list of  directors whose work I have liked, I would like to talk about 3 of my all-time favourites which are very close to my heart. I have to talk about Mani Ratnam sir’s Roja. It stands out for me because of its unforgettable characters and the emotionally-charged narrative. I am completely captivated by the way Ratnam crafts her characters with depth thereby making them resonate with the audience on a profound level. I also have to talk about the one and only SS Rajamouli sir and ‘Bahubali’ in particular. It is one of my favourites because it’s truly an epic drama which is coupled with richly-developed characters that makes it a masterpiece and a sheer treat to the eyes. I really appreciate the grandeur and the intricacies of the characters that have driven the story forward.”

We asked Sheena’s 7 time national awards winning first south director, Jairaj and he said : “Sheena’s commitment and professionalism are admirable! Having directed 45 movies in Malayalam, I can proudly say that working with Sheena was a remarkable experience. She is committed to the core as an actress and brought my vision to life”

She concludes by saying,

“Last but certainly and not the least, I have to talk about Atlee’s Jawan. The movie completely impresses with its strong female characters and dynamic way of storytelling. I really value the way he portrays powerful women thereby adding layers of complexity and strength to his films. And at its core – it is a film about human rights, which is why I love it most – it has a deeply positive message about the hero fighting for what is right and as a human rights ambassador, it won me over”

Sheena Chohan’s inspiration is firmly rooted in character-driven stories and filmmakers. Her admiration for these directors and their films underscores her own commitment to bringing nuanced, engaging characters to life on-screen. As well-wishers, all we can say is that Sheena certainly has got it all in her in terms of potential and mettle to work with the best in the business and here’s hoping that she gets to work with her special ‘wishlist’ of directors going forward to entertain the masses.

On the work front, Sheena has her upcoming Hindi debut ‘Sant Tukaram’ alongside the king of biopics Subodh Bhave, directed by Aditya Om and her Hollywood debut in the fantasy film Noman, directed by Taron Lexton. Stay tuned for more updates.