Sheena Chohan on Becoming Her Characters: “I Become Obsessed With Research Before Every Role”
Actor Sheena Chohan shares her immersive acting process, detailing the intense research behind her diverse roles in Sant Tukaram, Bhaayava, Justice, Walls, and the pan-India film Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam.
For actor Sheena Chohan, the process of bringing a character to life begins long before stepping in front of the camera lens. Recognized for her versatile choices across commercial and independent projects, Chohan approaches each new assignment through a rigorous routine of psychological research, environmental observation, and physical preparation, aiming to completely understand her characters from the inside out.
Preparing for her role as a high-ranking police officer in the pan-India feature Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam, Chohan reflects on the contrasting character transformations that have defined her career. From depicting historical figure Avali Jijabai in the widely released Sant Tukaram to embodying the primal energy of Lilith in Bhaayava, her foundational principle relies on deep study before execution.
To portray Avali Jijabai authentically in Sant Tukaram, Chohan spent time in rural villages studying the daily movements, speech rhythms, and physical mannerisms of local women. Conversely, preparing for the mythological character Lilith in Bhaayava required intense physical conditioning alongside her acting coach at The Acting Center in Los Angeles. Her role as a mysterious ghost in Justice relied heavily on body language and physical presence inspired by European cinema, while her upcoming short film Walls explores the isolated emotional world of a dedicated sound engineer.
Addressing her overall approach to script selection, Chohan emphasizes a desire for complex, layered roles that prioritize genuine human transformation over conventional glamour. She strives to bridge commercial appeal with independent storytelling, bringing emotional depth to varied genres across multiple regional film industries.
Looking ahead to the late 2026 theatrical release of Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam, Chohan continues to embrace creative challenges that push her beyond familiar comfort zones. By balancing thorough pre-production research with a willingness to follow her director’s vision on set, she remains committed to delivering grounded, authentic performances across every project.
