Bhayaavah marks Sheena Chohan’s bold leap into fantasy and fierce villainy

Bhayaavah marks Sheena Chohan’s bold leap into fantasy and fierce villainy

Sheena Chohan is stepping into a shadowy new chapter of her career, and this time she’s embracing darkness with purpose. Her next project, Bhayaavah, casts her in a fierce, fantasy-driven avatar inspired by Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent. It’s a sharp turn from her earlier roles, yet it fits the trajectory of an actor who has always picked parts that push boundaries.

Sheena started out opposite Mammootty, a debut that immediately marked her as someone with presence and intensity. Over the years she has balanced theatre, films, and web series with a steady focus on depth. Her recent work in Sant Tukaram showcased grace and resilience, while her performance in The Fame Game opposite Madhuri Dixit earned her praise for emotional nuance. Bhayaavah builds on that reputation but takes her into a darker, stranger realm.

In this upcoming supernatural fantasy series, Sheena plays a character woven from biblical lore. Banished from the Garden of Eden for fighting for equality, this figure grows into a powerful force who uses beauty and supernatural abilities not for destruction but for liberation. The narrative positions her as a rebel, a symbol of strength and the right to individuality. It’s a role that mirrors Sheena’s own advocacy work around human rights and equality, adding another layer to her performance.

Sheena describes the character as “defiant, passionate, and deeply human,” drawing a direct parallel to what made Jolie’s Maleficent iconic. Instead of a straightforward villain, Bhayaavah gives the audience a woman shaped by injustice, wrestling with darkness while holding on to empathy. That emotional duality became the core of Sheena’s interpretation.

She spoke about finding the character once the physical transformation began. “The moment I put on the horns, the red lipstick, and the curly hair, it all came alive,” she shared. “She’s powerful, unpredictable, vibrant, a little wicked, and she has humour. I had a lot of fun playing her, and I hope the audience loves it too.”

On social media, Sheena teased the look with a behind-the-scenes video, describing the character as “not your ordinary villain” but a force wrapped in mystery, freedom, and power. The clip hints at a world that blends psychological horror with fantasy, backed by iWill Productions.

Bhayaavah isn’t positioned as a typical supernatural thriller. The series aims for emotional depth and philosophical texture, using fantasy to explore themes of rebellion, individuality, equality, and redemption. Set for release on a major OTT platform in 2026, it signals a bold and visually rich new direction for Sheena Chohan — one where she leans into darkness to find something deeply human.