Mumbai: Pan-Indian actress Sheena Chohan had a meaningful conversation with Taapsee Pannu at the recent Women in Film India gathering, with the two actresses connecting over the evolving space for women and women-led narratives in Indian cinema.
Known for gravitating towards strong, layered and emotionally complex characters, Sheena Chohan expressed her admiration for the space Taapsee Pannu has created for stories that place real, vulnerable and unapologetically honest women at the centre.
“I really admire the way Taapsee has created space for women-led stories. These are stories about real women—vulnerable, honest, complex women—and I feel these are the stories that need to be told,” Sheena shared.
Sheena Chohan Praises Taapsee Pannu’s Authenticity
Beyond Taapsee Pannu’s choice of films and characters, Sheena also appreciated the actress’s willingness to openly express her opinions and stand by her beliefs.
“I told her that I admire how she speaks her mind and is not afraid to stand by what she believes in. There is something very real about her, and I really respect that,” Sheena said.
Pannu’s response struck a chord with Chohan.
“We really need to step up and speak up,” Pannu told her.
For Sheena, the exchange reflected a larger transformation taking place within the Indian film industry. Women are increasingly moving beyond conventional representation and taking active roles as actors, filmmakers, producers and storytellers.
The conversation is consequently shifting towards creating meaningful opportunities and narratives that capture the diverse experiences of women.
Women Supporting Women in Indian Cinema
The Women in Film India gathering brought together several prominent voices from the Indian entertainment industry, including Guneet Monga Kapoor, Kanika Dhillon and Rabia Chopra.
The event provided an opportunity for women from different areas of the industry to exchange ideas, discuss challenges and celebrate the changing landscape of Indian cinema.
For Sheena, however, her candid interaction with Taapsee became one of the highlights of the evening.
“I believe we are stronger together. When women genuinely support, celebrate and create space for one another, it elevates the entire industry. It allows us to be more courageous about the stories we tell and the kind of cinema we want to create,” she said.
The Growing Push for Women-Led Stories
The conversation closely reflects the broader vision of Women in Film India, which works towards greater equity, access and opportunities for women and gender-diverse individuals across India’s film industries.
For Sheena Chohan, the evening was ultimately about more than a formal industry gathering. It represented the power of genuine connection between women who share a passion for cinema and believe in creating space for stories that deserve to be heard.
The interaction between Sheena and Taapsee also underlined an important shift in the entertainment industry: women are increasingly advocating for stories that explore their experiences with greater honesty, vulnerability and complexity.
The idea is not simply to ask for a place within the existing system, but to actively create more opportunities for women to lead, produce, write and shape the stories being told on screen.
Sheena Chohan’s Upcoming Projects
Sheena Chohan, who recently spoke at the United Nations in New York about women’s rights, equal respect and equality, is known for taking on character-driven roles.
The actress is now preparing for her upcoming pan-India release Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam, in which she plays an IPS officer opposite JD Chakravarthy. The film is set to release across five languages.
Sheena will also be seen in Bhaayava and Justice, where she takes on distinct leading roles, portraying a she-devil in Bhaayava and a ghost in Justice.
With a growing body of diverse characters and projects, Sheena Chohan continues to explore roles that allow her to push beyond conventional portrayals of women on screen.
The conversation with Taapsee Pannu at Women in Film India ultimately captured a sentiment that is becoming increasingly important across Indian cinema: when women support one another and create space for each other’s voices, the entire industry has the opportunity to become more inclusive, courageous and representative.
And perhaps that is where meaningful change begins—not when women compete for limited space, but when they come together to create more of it.
