What if Raja Ravi Varma’s iconic Shakuntala stepped out of the canvas and into the present day? Actress Sheena Chohan gives the timeless character a contemporary interpretation with a striking new photoshoot that captures her innocence, beauty, and emotional depth.
Inspired by the world of Raja Ravi Varma, Sheena’s photographs recreate the essence of Shakuntala rather than simply replicating a painting. Set against an elegant, heritage-inspired backdrop with arches, water, and nature, the frames carry an old-world charm, making the actress appear almost like a character who has stepped out of a classic Indian artwork.
Keeping the styling rooted in Shakuntala’s timeless aesthetic, Sheena wears a pristine white saree with a delicate pink-and-gold border. Her flowing hair, subtle traditional makeup, defined eyes and small bindi are complemented by delicate floral earrings, white flower garlands and a lotus in her hands. Barefoot beside the water, she brings an effortless sense of femininity, innocence and serenity to the frames.
But what makes this interpretation interesting is that Sheena did not want to merely dress up as Shakuntala. She wanted to understand the woman behind the mythology and explore how her emotions could translate to a modern woman.
*“What fascinated me about Shakuntala was not just her beauty or her love story, but her transformation. She begins as a simple, innocent woman, yet her journey holds so much elegance, emotion, and strength. I wanted to explore the woman behind the myth and imagine what Shakuntala might feel like if she were a woman of our time,” says Sheena Chohan*
The shoot was photographed at Evolve Back Hampi by Prasad H.M., edited by Vaibhav Venu Gopal Vernekar, and styled by Veena Shankar.
A live glimpse from Sheena’s Shakuntala shoot: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc3RT-vqsAN/?stkn=eGh5a3c2NmxobTB5
From her quiet gaze to the frames where she sits beside the water holding a lotus, the actress brings an emotional stillness to the character. Every detail — the flowers, the flowing saree, the natural setting, and her expressions — adds to the feeling of a timeless Indian woman being rediscovered.
For Sheena, the idea is also about bringing mythologically rooted Indian stories, women and characters back into conversation.
*“I love exploring stories, art, and women who have inspired generations. I’m particularly drawn to mythologically rooted Indian stories and characters because they carry so much history, emotion, beauty, and relevance. With Shakuntala, I wanted to pay tribute to that legacy while giving her a new voice. Her world may belong to another era, but the emotions she represents are still very much ours,” she adds.*
What sets Sheena apart is the way she approaches every image and character as an actress, not simply as a visual. Her versatility reflects in the characters she inhabits, the films she chooses, and the worlds she creates through her work. Whether on screen or through a single frame, she brings curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to transform — qualities that make her an actress with a distinctive artistic voice.
