From playing Sarojini Naidu in Gandhi and Ambedkar during her theatre days to taking on diverse characters across Indian cinema, Sheena Chohan’s journey as an actor began on the stage. On Teacher’s Day, the actress looked back at those formative years and paid tribute to her theatre guru, Arvind Gaur, who trained and mentored her for several years.
“Theatre is my true training. It taught me discipline, professionalism and, most importantly, how to be a blank canvas for my director. My love for characters and my ability to find their truth came from those years. Cinema is the journey I am living today, but theatre will always be my foundation, and Arvind Gaur will always be one of the teachers who shaped the actor I became.”
— Sheena Chohan
Those years of theatre were far more than just acting lessons for Sheena. From street theatre and experimental theatre to demanding stage productions, the experience taught her discipline, professionalism, observation and the ability to completely surrender herself to a character. Most importantly, she learnt what it means to become a true blank canvas for a director — understanding their vision and bringing it to life with complete commitment.
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That foundation continues to define Sheena’s work in cinema today. Her theatre training instilled in her a deep love for characters and the instinct to transform herself for every role. Her journey has since taken her across languages and industries, with 15 films across five languages, establishing her as a Pan-India actor.
Sheena has also earned recognition on the international festival circuit, including Best Actress nominations at the Shanghai and Dubai International Film Festivals, and has continued to build a diverse body of work spanning Indian and international cinema. With four upcoming releases, the actress is now entering an exciting new phase of her career.
For Sheena, however, every new character ultimately takes her back to the stage where she first learnt the craft.
Her Teacher’s Day tribute is therefore not simply a look back at the past, but an acknowledgement of the foundation that continues to shape her future.
From street theatre to cinemas on every Indian street, Sheena Chohan continues to carry that spirit with her — bringing characters and stories to audiences, and pursuing cinema that inspires, moves people and leaves an impact on culture, while creating stories that entertain, connect and stay with people.
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