Sheena Chohan Returns to IFFK in an Emotional Full-Circle Moment, Reflects on Her Cinematic Roots

Actor Sheena Chohan marked an emotional homecoming as she returned to the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) after nearly a decade, revisiting the place where her film journey first began. The actor, who made her Malayalam debut opposite legendary star Mammootty in Jayaraj’s action thriller The Train, attended the opening ceremony of IFFK in Thiruvananthapuram, a visit she describes as deeply nostalgic and personally significant.

Kerala holds a special place in Chohan’s career, as The Train was her first feature film, where she portrayed Mammootty’s wife under the direction of National Award-winning filmmaker Jayaraj. Her return to the state comes at a pivotal phase in her career, ahead of the theatrical release of her upcoming Telugu film opposite JD Chakravarthy, in which she will be seen in a striking new avatar as a female police officer.

Reflecting on her early days in cinema, Chohan said, “I acted in my first film opposite Mammootty sir after spending five years in theatre, where I learnt how to research characters and inhabit them truthfully. Theatre taught me professionalism, something the Malayalam and Telugu film industries deeply value—hard work, discipline, and complete conviction to a role. Returning to Kerala feels like the perfect beginning for my next South release.”

The actor shared that the moment she arrived in Kerala for the festival, memories of her early shoot days came flooding back. “From the moment I landed, memories of my shoot days came rushing back—the discipline on set, the warmth of the people, the food, and of course working with Mammootty sir. Kerala will always hold a very special place in my heart,” she said.

Adding weight to Chohan’s return was the presence and praise of veteran filmmaker Jayaraj, who continues to speak highly of her performance in The Train, even a decade later. “Sheena acted with Mammootty in my film The Train, and I was amazed by her natural ability to portray such an important character. Her commitment and professionalism during the shoot were admirable. Having directed 45 Malayalam films and worked with actors from across India, I can confidently say that my experience working with Sheena was remarkable. Watching her evolve as an actor with such depth, versatility, and strength has been a matter of great pride,” he said.

Chohan also shared glimpses of her IFFK visit on social media, posting a video from the festival that resonated strongly with her followers.

Following her Malayalam debut, Chohan went on to headline over ten international and independent films, earning several Best Actress awards along the way. This year, she made her Hindi film debut with Sant Tukaram, where her performance received widespread appreciation. Her upcoming slate includes a Hollywood feature Nomad, an international series, and a bold ‘She Devil’ role in another global project, marking a significant expansion of her international footprint.

As Sheena Chohan returns to Kerala after ten years, her presence at IFFK stands as more than a festival appearance—it is a symbolic full-circle moment that reflects her steady evolution as a performer committed to craft, celebrated for her powerful character portrayals, and firmly established as a pan-India actor with a growing global presence.