Mumbai: On World Health Day, celebrated every year on April 7, actress Sheena Chohan turned the spotlight on a 3,000-year-old martial art that has become the cornerstone of her fitness and mental strength — Kalaripayattu.

While the world marks the founding of the World Health Organization and renews its focus on well-being, Sheena has chosen to share her deeply personal “actress-athlete” approach to health. Far from chasing fleeting trends, she has embraced a disciplined lifestyle rooted in ancient Indian wisdom and modern commitment.

Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art form from Kerala, lies at the heart of her routine. Much more than a fighting technique, this ancient practice builds exceptional agility, flexibility, endurance, and sharp mental focus. For Sheena, it represents a complete discipline that trains both the body and the mind, helping her stay balanced amid the pressures of an acting career.

Her preparation for upcoming films clearly shows the impact of this training. In the pan-India project Jhatasya Maranam Dhruvam, she plays a cop — a role that demands real physical strength and stamina. For her upcoming Tamil film, the rigorous practice is adding authenticity and power to her performance. In the Tamil folk drama Bhayaavah, where she portrays a fierce she-devil, Sheena brings raw agility and intensity to life through challenging harness work and dynamic combat sequences.

A brown belt in Karate and trained in several martial arts, Sheena recently demonstrated her intense stick practice, displaying impressive precision, control, and unwavering focus. Sharing her thoughts, she said, “Every fitness journey has a story, and mine is rooted in discipline, movement, and mastery of craft. Kalaripayattu has taught me that fitness is not just about how you look — it’s about how you move, how positive you feel, and how present you are in every moment.”

Sheena follows her philosophy with remarkable consistency. Her daily schedule includes two dedicated workouts of at least 45 minutes each, one of them outdoors. She maintains a clean diet, stays completely away from alcohol, and ensures she drinks 3.8 litres of water every day — even during the most demanding shooting schedules.

Mental wellness receives equal attention in her life. Through daily reading and mindfulness practices, Sheena continues to strengthen her inner resilience. Her simple yet powerful mantra is to show up every day with discipline and clear intention.

As the conversation around health and fitness grows louder in the entertainment industry, Sheena Chohan’s journey offers a grounded and inspiring example. In a time when many chase quick results, her blend of ancient Kalaripayattu with steady modern effort stands out as a reminder that true fitness is a lifelong practice.

On the work front, Sheena is gearing up for a busy phase. She will soon be seen in Jhatasya Maranam Dhruvam, Arjunanin Allirani, the Tamil folk drama Bhayaavah, and the Hollywood film Nomad. Several other projects are expected to be announced shortly.

This World Health Day, Sheena Chohan’s message comes across loud and clear: real strength begins from within. By honouring both body and mind through consistent effort and ancient wisdom, she shows that genuine well-being is built one disciplined day at a time.