(May 3, 2026) She was once a shy girl from Kolkata who had to discover her voice. Today, Sheena Chohan’s journey stretches across film industries in India and abroad, global streaming platforms, international film festivals, and even the United Nations. From winning the Miss Kolkata crown to debuting opposite Mammootty, from sharing screen space with Madhuri Dixit and Kajol to earning international recognition for Ant Story, and now stepping into Hollywood with Nomad, her path has unfolded steadily across languages and borders.
A pan-India actor, Sheena has worked in more than 15 films in five languages. Along the way, she has reached over 170 million people through her human rights advocacy, been recognised with the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and continues to build a body of work that moves between cinema and social impact. At the centre of it all is a belief she returns to often. “My work sits at the intersection of cinema and consciousness, using storytelling and voice to inspire systemic awareness,” she tells The Global Indian.
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The human rights girl
Sheena’s interest in human rights took root early. She witnessed discrimination against women firsthand, and a more personal wound ran deeper too. Her mother had gone through many injustices, which made her question things from a young age. That questioning eventually found direction through her role as South Asia Ambassador for the non-profit United for Human Rights, and over the past decade, the work has been anything but ceremonial. She created postcards carrying the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and handed them out in place of autographs, giving away thousands before taking her seminars into schools, with the impact so visible that several institutions made the materials part of their curriculum.
At Whistling Woods International, India’s premier institute for film, communication, and creative arts, 500 students went on to make short films based on specific articles of the UDHR. The reach kept growing with 49 universities adopting Youth for Human Right International (YHRI) materials, and her total outreach now stands at 170 million people across South Asia. She has hosted discussions featuring voices from Indian cinema bridging storytelling with social responsibility.
“I have also spoken at the United Nations advocating for mandatory human rights education in schools worldwide,” notes the actor who has spoken at multiple institutions in India and abroad. Beyond speeches, her work extends into conversations and education. An upcoming podcast, East Meets West for human rights continues that effort.
I am the only actress to have received the UN Human Rights Hero Award. For me, this is not just a title, rather a long-standing responsibility I’ve chosen.
Sheena Chohan
In 2024, the actor-activist launched Read Me My Rights, a campaign inviting artists to record and share the UDHR right most meaningful to them, drawing participation from Preity Zinta, Raveena Tandon, Sonu Sood, Imtiaz Ali, Nandita Das, Sonakshi Sinha, and Tisca Chopra. The same year, she was the sole Indian invited to speak at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, where she addressed bullying and discrimination.
A Hollywood leap with Nomad
One of Sheena’s biggest milestones in the sphere of cinema is the soon-to-be released Hollywood film Nomad. It stands out as one of the most ambitious productions in recent years. Written and directed by American filmmaker Taron Lexton who is known for large-scale, location-driven storytelling, the film was shot across 30 countries and seven continents.
“I shot for Nomad and it was an incredible milestone as it was my first Hollywood film,” says Sheena. “Being on set with a diverse American crew brought a completely new rhythm of filmmaking, It was very precise, collaborative, and globally aligned.”
While the production itself travelled across continents from Chile to Africa and beyond, her own journey was shaped by the portions she was part of within this constantly moving film. In it, she plays a character named Nadia. “I have played a traveler, which itself felt symbolic of my own journey across industries and geographies,” the actor reflects.
The filmmaking process itself stood apart. The project was conceived with minimal artificial setups and heavy reliance on green screens or constructed sets, giving it a raw, immersive quality. For Sheena, working within that vision was transformative. “His clarity, calmness, and international storytelling approach made the experience truly enriching,” she says of Lexton.
From Kolkata to confidence
Long before film sets and global platforms, there was a quieter beginning. Born in Chandigarh and raised in Kolkata, Sheena grew up surrounded by the arts, even as she struggled with self-expression. “I was a very shy child, and expression was something I had to discover gradually,” she says.
Her early life was filled with varied training in dance, martial arts, sculpture, and music. At The Lawrence School, Sanawar, she played the violin in the school orchestra and earned a brown belt in karate. “I trained in performing arts for around five years. Even in school, arts remained my core focus,” she recalls.
The turning point came with theatre. “I began with five years of theatre, which built the foundation of discipline, adaptability, and truth in performance,” she says. “That journey into performance helped me find my voice and eventually shaped my path into cinema.”
Mammootty, Jayaraj, and a debut that set the bar high
The actor’s entry into cinema came with the Malayalam thriller The Train, where she starred opposite Mammootty under the direction of national award-winning filmmaker Jayaraj. “Working in The Train opposite Mammootty was a dream debut,” she says. What could have been an intimidating beginning instead became formative.
“Mammootty is a legend, yet incredibly grounded and generous with his co-actors,” she recalls. “It created a very comfortable and inspiring environment on set.” The experience shaped her understanding of cinema itself. “It taught me discipline, respect for craft, and depth in storytelling. Cinema is collaboration at the highest level,” she adds.
From Madhuri Dixit to Kajol: how OTT made performances travel
As her career expanded, Sheena moved into the OTT space, becoming part of a storytelling format that transcends borders. Projects like The Fame Game with Madhuri Dixit, The Trial with Kajol, and The City of Dreams brought her into narratives that travelled globally.
OTT platforms like Netflix have been transformative in expanding my global reach. It has removed geographical boundaries and created a truly global viewing space for Indian stories.
Sheena Chohan
Her approach to performance, however, remained unchanged. “For me, acting is about becoming a blank canvas for the director’s vision while deeply understanding cultural context,” she explains. “Language and cultural nuances come through preparation, coaching, and immersion but more importantly, through respect for the world each story comes from.”
Sheena Chohan with Kajol on the sets of OTT courtroom drama ‘The Trial’
Ant Story, international festivals, and a career that refuses labels
Sheena’s role in the Bangladeshi drama Ant Story which premiered at global festivals and was acquired by Netflix brought her into the international spotlight, earning Best Actress nominations at both the Dubai and Shanghai International Film Festivals.
For the actor, the recognition was part of a larger journey. “I enjoy the process of transformation and staying committed to the authenticity of every character I portray,” she says. Rather than aligning with a single industry, her work continues to move fluidly across regional, national, and international cinema.
Sant Tukaram, exMates, and the many shades of performance
Her Hindi debut in Sant Tukaram marked a significant moment, with critics calling her performance the emotional core of the film. “I studied extensively, researched texts, and worked closely with women from similar backgrounds to understand the emotional truth of the character,” she says. “What made it even more meaningful was portraying a woman who stood for equality and resilience.”
At the same time, her work has extended into lighter genres as well. Her performance in the web series exMates earned her several Best Actress in a Comic Role award, highlighting her range across formats and tones. “It allowed me to merge discipline, devotion, and emotional truth in a very powerful way,” she says of her approach whether its drama or comedy.
Tamil cinema, Ilaiyaraaja, and becoming a student again
Her next chapter unfolds in Tamil cinema with Arjunanin Allirani, bringing her into collaboration with writer Jeyamohan and legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja.
“I am currently immersed in preparation. I am learning Tamil, understanding the cultural tone, and training for physical aspects like stick fighting,” she says. The process, she notes, is one she values deeply. “I enjoy this phase of being a student again. Every new industry is not just a step forward, but a deepening of craft and cultural understanding.”
She will also be seen in Bhayaavah, where she plays Lilith, and has an upcoming release opposite JD Chakravarthy in Jhatasya Maranam Dhruvam.
A journey that continues to evolve
Across films, formats, and causes, Sheena Chohan’s journey has unfolded not in leaps, but in layers. “Over time, I realised cinema is not just performance—it is impact,” she says. “That realisation turned acting into a lifelong commitment rather than just a profession.” From a shy child discovering expression to an actor navigating global cinema and advocacy platforms, Sheena’s story continues to move across boundaries of language, geography, and purpose.
Milestones that mark the journey
There are many accolades across Sheena Chohan’s career, Some of the significant milestones include:
- UN Human Rights Hero Award (2023) – Recognition at the United Nations for her global advocacy work
- U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2024) – For sustained contribution to human rights education
- Best Actress (Sant Tukaram) – Including international and leadership award platforms (2025–2026)
- WGF Best Actress in a Comic Role (2023) – For her performance in exMates
- Best Actress nominations (Ant Story) – Dubai International Film Festival (2013) and Shanghai International Film Festival (2014)
- Miss Kolkata & “I Am Voice” title (Miss Universe India platform) – Early recognition for expression and audience connect
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