"Actions speak louder than words": Sheena Chohan on relationships & respect

Sheena Chohan’s latest project takes her into the world of Sant Tukaram, one of India’s most influential saints, but her character isn’t the saint himself. Instead, she plays Avali, the woman who shared his life and bore the weight of being both his partner and his challenger. History often remembers Tukaram’s spiritual journey, but Avali’s story has usually stayed in the margins. Through this film, Sheena steps into those silences and gives Avali her own voice.

Sheena is no stranger to complex roles. Having worked in theatre for years and appeared in films across languages, she’s learned how to sink into characters who exist in shades rather than absolutes. Beyond acting, she’s also known for her work as an ambassador for human rights, which makes Avali’s defiance and resilience feel especially close to home. The character isn’t simply a supportive wife. She’s someone who demanded attention not just for her husband’s mission but also for her own identity in a society that often silenced women.

What drew Sheena to Avali was this tension-devotion mixed with rebellion, loyalty tempered with the need to be heard. She describes the process of preparing for the role as a mix of research and surrender, of studying Avali’s world and then letting the director shape her interpretation. On set, it wasn’t just about re-creating a period piece but about connecting Avali’s spirit to present-day conversations around equality, respect, and expression.

In our conversation with Sheena, she reflects on everything from the seriousness of shooting such a revered story to the lighter off-set memories that kept the cast grounded. She also opens up about her views on relationships, personal red flags, and the importance of Avali’s story in today’s context.

Q. This is a period film, but were there moments on set where the themes hit disturbingly close to home, especially as a woman in the industry today?

Sheena: The center of the film is about discrimination and the fight for equality, so it’s extremely relevant today. Sant Tukaram is known for helping women and lower castes achieve religious freedom, but my character, Avali, had to stand up to insist that his attention wasn’t only on God and society, but his family.

Another issue we face today is freedom of expression, and the wonderful thing about my character is that she was never afraid to speak up. There is so much emotion in my part because she is always fighting, first for her survival, and then eventually for Sant Tukaram’s larger goal for society.

Honestly, one thing I hope women take from the film, along with the spiritual message of God within, is some of Avali’s spirit. She stood up for her rights as a woman, and while she made her partner’s mission her own, she also knew when to speak up for herself. That balance of devotion and defiance is something I truly admire in her.

Q. How did you tap into Avali’s mix of devotion, disapproval, and quiet rebellion? Were there personal experiences that shaped your performance?

Sheena: My five years of theatre taught me that to understand and fit into a character you need to research and absorb as much information as possible. I read and watched everything I could about Avali and the larger story she was part of. I even visited the village where she lived and observed the women there—the way they carried themselves, their daily rhythms, their resilience.

That process gave me insight into Avali not just as a saint’s wife but as a woman negotiating her own identity. I took all of that research and offered it to my director as a foundation. Then I treated myself as a blank page, allowing him to shape everything I had learned into his vision. It was both surrender and contribution, which is quite similar to Avali’s own journey.

The biggest red flag in any relationship is a lack of support for your dreams. Another is toxicity—whether it comes in the form of constant criticism, gossip, or spreading negativity.

- Sheena Chouhan (as told to India Forums)

Q. Between Sanjay Mishra, Shiva Suryavanshi or Subodh Bhave, who was the bigger on-set troublemaker? Who made you laugh when you were supposed to stay serious?

Sheena: The set itself was pretty serious. We knew we were representing people’s religious beliefs, so we avoided unnecessary distractions. Every actor approached the project with reverence because the story of Sant Tukaram carries immense cultural and spiritual weight.

But when the cameras stopped rolling, that’s when the lighter moments emerged. Subodh Bhave, for instance, would take us out for ice cream or authentic Maharashtrian dinners. He introduced us to the local culture and regaled us with stories from his nearly hundred films. Those moments of camaraderie helped us bond as a cast and created memories I’ll carry with me long after the film.

Q. Avali had to deal with a distracted husband. In real life, what’s your biggest red flag in a relationship — saintly detachment or too much bhakti for their phone?

Sheena: Love, to me, is not gazing endlessly at each other but looking together in the same direction and supporting one another in achieving shared goals.

The biggest red flag in any relationship is a lack of support for your dreams. Another is toxicity—whether it comes in the form of constant criticism, gossip, or spreading negativity. People who twist words, assign blame unfairly, or thrive on hostility are people I avoid.

I also watch out for emotional tendencies. Anger can be destructive, while passive-aggressive behavior can be equally corrosive. I don’t judge people by words alone. Actions always reveal the truth about who someone really is.

Q. In a story where men dominate the spiritual narrative, how important was it for you to show Avali’s voice not just as a wife but as a woman fighting for respect?

Sheena: There’s a scene I cherish deeply where Sant Tukaram tells Avali that she was his backbone, his strength, and that his mission would have been incomplete without her. That moment beautifully underlines Avali’s arc and affirms her role in shaping history.

In real life, I work as the ambassador for United for Human Rights, so I’m passionate about issues of gender and caste equality. This film felt like an extension of that mission. At screenings, women have approached me to say Avali’s story resonates with them—that her determination to hold on to her dignity and strength reflects their own struggles. Those conversations remind me why telling women’s stories with honesty is so important.

Q. What is one behind-the-scenes moment from this film that felt more cinematic than anything in the script? The kind you’ll remember for life.

Sheena: The first time I stepped onto the set, it felt like stepping back in time. When I put on Avali’s clothes, I no longer felt like Sheena—I became her. Walking as the wife of a saint, inside a story I had heard so many times, was surreal.

What made it unforgettable was a moment behind the scenes. My director, Aditya Om, gave me instructions after my first scene—specific details that weren’t in the script but came from his vision. It felt like I had spent weeks sketching Avali, and the costumes and sets had added texture, but Aditya’s words added the color that made her fully come alive. That memory will stay with me forever.

Sheena Chohan takes on the role of Avali in a period film on Sant Tukaram, a character whose presence raises questions about devotion, independence, and the need for recognition within relationships. Avali isn’t remembered only as the saint’s wife but as someone who negotiated her own space in a world where women’s voices were often muted. For Sheena, stepping into this role was less about re-creating history and more about finding its echoes in today’s conversations on equality and respect. The film gave her a chance to explore how Avali’s resilience and persistence resonate beyond her time. Outside this project, Sheena Chohan has appeared in films like Nomad and Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam, adding to a body of work that often leans into layered and challenging characters. She has other projects lined up ahead too.