My work is female centric, exploring power, gender and sexuality. THE HUSBANDS An exploration of polyandry and matriarchy in India. Toured nationally and completed its run at London’s Soho theatre (Kali and Pentabus Theatre),

Purnajanam / Born Again (Kali Theatre, Southwark Playhouse)

In a city of transition and tradition, three liars, two lovers and a reluctant leader all desperately search for truth. As Mumbai burns, Purnjanam questions destiny, love and power, asking what must be destroyed for something new to be created. 10 Women Produced by JackDaw Theatre Using a combination of theatre verity and devising, this piece explored the relationship of ten women and their bodies. Not Today’s Yesterday

This work aims to open up conversation through a clever appropriation of whitewashed histories and give a voice back to lost histories and communities. Not Today’s Yesterday offers audiences a chance to engage in the most important geo-political conversation of this decade

12: (Dir Janet Steel), 2015

Shocked and moved by true stories of honour killings of young women in the UK where on average 12 such killings occur each year, twelve writers have collaborated to create a moving and poignant theatre event that celebrates and gives voice to these lost lives. Sharmila was also part of Criterion Writers (2017), Tamasha’s writers group (Oct 2014), Royal Court’s Critical Mass (Autumn 2009), Tamasha Developing Artists (TDA) program (March 2012 and writers development programme with Kali theatre, 2008

Staged readings:

Prodigal: Scratch reading – Bush Theatre – March 2016 – Part of Black Words – produced by ADF

A picnic hamper, a thermos of tea and some dolly mixture: Mother and Daughter are lost on a foggy heath searching for the Prodigal Son. As the mist thickens and grievances are aired,misconceptions become the map that guides them. Roses, March 2015 – The Shed/ Temporary Space, National Theatre. Produced by Sphynx Theatre Brand new work by four of the UK’s most exciting writers created exclusively for the Women Centre Stage Festival. Set between Kenya and London, Roses is a dark tale of love, power and sex. Cast includes Ronke Adekoluejo, Ayasha Kala, Mark Theodore and Philip Edgerley. A fantastic insight into the next generation of leading female protagonists by award-winning writers-to-watch Charlotte Josephine, Matilda Ibini, Sharmila Chauhan and Luke Barnes. http://www.womencentrestage.co.uk/shows/event/6-sphinx-writers-group-future-voices

A Tale of Two Sisters: (dir Pooja Ghai) Rich Mix, March 2015.

Exploring the birth of the ‘modern’ sari as a representation of female emancipation; Shakti and Seva explores the relationship between society’s ‘good girl’ and her sexually free, autonomous sister. When Spring Comes: (dir Dominic Hingorani), Commonwealth Club produced by Tamasha Theatre and South Asian Lit Fest. A three generation story about the Ugandan exodus to the UK. And also a number of scratch readings including Make and Model (Bush theatre, Nov 2014, Roses, Soho Theatre Jan 2015)