She walks the ramp, holds a brown belt in karate and loves to play the violin. Now 22-year-old Sheena Chohan is all smiles about her celluloid debut opposite superstar Mammootty in the Malayalam movie The Train. A t2 chat…

When did you leave for Mumbai?

I shifted a year-and-a-half back. I had gone there for a shoot and got a call from Sushmita (Sen) Ma’m’s office. It was for a wild card entry into I Am She 2010, which I bagged. I won the title of “I Am Voice”, for the best connectivity with the audience.

Do you think that win boosted your confidence and helped you take the big plunge?

Yes, absolutely! That was actually the turning point. That gave me the push. But Calcutta was my training ground. I have been modelling since school and doing theatre with Padatik. I was doing contemporary dance too. I have been a part of the Calcutta circuit for three years.

When I did my first play at Padatik, I realised how much fun it was to play different characters. But it was not till my first film happened a few months back that I decided that I would like to become an actress.

How did The Train happen?

I feel so blessed that right at the beginning of my career, I got the opportunity to work with such a fine actor and director.

After I Am She got over, I enrolled myself in Anupam Kher’s acting school. That course helped me a lot. I also did a lot of theatre with Arvind Gaur for about two years and a lot of ads. Jayaraj Sir spotted me in a commercial and called me for auditions. He said he liked the expression in my eyes. I bagged the role opposite Mammootty. This was in January this year.

Were you nervous?

During my first shot with Mammootty Sir, I was overwhelmed, but he made me feel comfortable. I asked him what was the most important thing for an actor and he said it was self-confidence. He encouraged me and brought out the best in me. My director gave me lots of interesting films to watch too.

What is The Train all about?

It is based on the Mumbai blasts. Lives lost also mean dreams lost. But the film has a message of hope. I play Mammootty’s soulmate, a fun-loving girl. I die in the blast. So, my memories of time spent with him are what inspire him to fight for justice. I want to do good films with the best of directors. I feel that I am destiny’s child. So, I will let destiny take its course rather than hurry into anything.

What is one Malayalam word that you have learnt and will never forget?

Nallathe. It means very good.