Shaan Sahota is a name that beautifully blends two powerful worlds: medicine and art. As a dedicated junior doctor in London and an emerging playwright, she has proven that one can heal lives not only through medical care but also by touching hearts with stories. Her journey from Oxford and Cambridge classrooms to the hospital wards and theatre stages showcases determination, empathy, and boundless creativity.
While many professionals remain confined to one field, Shaan Sahota demonstrates how diverse talents can create an even stronger impact on society. Her works reflect family values, cultural complexities, and the raw experiences of life in the modern world, making her an influential figure in both healthcare and theatre.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Shaan Sahota |
| Profession | Junior Doctor, Playwright |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Punjabi Sikh heritage |
| Known For | Debut play The Estate, audio-drama Under the Mask |
| Education | History and Spanish at Oxford University; Medicine at Cambridge University |
| Career Fields | Medicine, Playwriting, Advocacy |
| Current Residence | London, UK |
Early Life and Education
Shaan Sahota grew up in the United Kingdom within a Punjabi Sikh family, where cultural identity and values deeply shaped her perspective on the world. These early experiences later became central themes in her writing, where she explores family bonds, tradition, and the complexity of modern identity.
Her academic journey began at New College, Oxford, where she studied History and Spanish. This gave her an intellectual foundation and a strong sense of storytelling. Later, she shifted her focus toward medicine, training at Cambridge University. This decision to balance humanities and science became the foundation for her unique career path.
Start of Career
Before entering medicine, Shaan Sahota worked in advocacy, specifically supporting survivors of domestic violence through the Southall Black Sisters. Her work with women facing cultural and immigration challenges gave her insight into resilience, justice, and human suffering.
This advocacy background gave her the courage to confront difficult themes in her plays. By the time she stepped into medicine, she already carried the ability to deeply understand people and reflect their voices in her creative work.
Career in Medicine
Shaan Sahota works as a junior doctor in London. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served on the frontlines, caring for critically ill patients in intensive care units. This period was not only a professional challenge but also an emotional experience that shaped her storytelling voice.
Her medical career focuses on women’s health, behaviour change, and the human side of medicine. This combination of compassion and science continues to inspire her patients and audiences alike, showing that healing extends beyond hospitals into the world of art.
Journey as a Playwright
The Estate
Her debut play The Estate introduced her as a powerful playwright. Set in a Sikh family, the story explores inheritance, identity, and politics. It is both a family drama and a reflection of larger social tensions. The play was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting in 2020, proving her remarkable storytelling ability.
With its thought-provoking themes, The Estate demonstrates how ordinary family conflicts can reveal deeper truths about society. Its production at the National Theatre made Shaan Sahota a significant new voice in British theatre.
Under the Mask
During the pandemic, Shaan Sahota created Under the Mask, an audio-drama that immersed listeners in the experience of a doctor working through a night in a COVID ward. By blending real recordings from hospital environments with fictional narrative, she gave the public an intimate look at the struggles of frontline healthcare workers.
This work was praised for its realism, humanity, and emotional depth. It is a rare example of art directly born from medical crisis, offering audiences empathy and understanding.
Themes and Writing Style
Shaan Sahota’s writing focuses on ethical complexity and human behaviour. She believes even good people can behave badly under pressure, and her plays reflect this reality.
Her style combines sharp dialogue, cultural detail, and emotional honesty. Whether exploring family disputes in The Estate or the life-and-death intensity of Under the Mask, she captures the contradictions of being human with authenticity.
Latest Work and Recognition
Shaan Sahota’s career continues to grow as her plays gain recognition across the UK. Her recent projects have brought her into the spotlight as one of the most promising British Asian playwrights. Publications of her works have further extended her reach to global audiences.
Her dual career as a doctor and writer also attracts media attention. Critics and audiences admire how she balances the responsibility of healthcare with the creativity of theatre, both serving as outlets of compassion.
Legacy and Impact
Shaan Sahota’s legacy lies in her ability to connect two worlds that rarely intersect. As a doctor, she saves lives; as a playwright, she gives life to stories that may otherwise remain unheard.
Her journey inspires young people, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to embrace multiple talents without fear. By addressing culture, family, and crisis with honesty, Shaan Sahota contributes to both medicine and the arts, proving that empathy is the foundation of every great profession.
Conclusion
Shaan Sahota is more than a doctor or a playwright—she is a storyteller of life itself. Her ability to care for patients in the hospital while also creating narratives for the stage is both rare and admirable. She embodies resilience, creativity, and compassion, showing how negative experiences can transform into powerful art and positive social impact.
As she continues her journey, Shaan Sahota stands as a role model for anyone seeking to combine passion with purpose. Her voice will remain influential in shaping conversations about culture, identity, and humanity in both medicine and theatre.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Shaan Sahota?
Shaan Sahota is a British junior doctor and playwright, known for her debut play The Estate and her audio-drama Under the Mask.
Q2: What is Shaan Sahota’s educational background?
She studied History and Spanish at Oxford University before training in Medicine at Cambridge University.
Q3: What is her cultural background?
She is of Punjabi Sikh heritage, which strongly influences her writing themes.
Q4: What are her most famous works?
Her best-known works are The Estate and Under the Mask.
Q5: Did Shaan Sahota work during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, she worked on the frontline as a junior doctor in London, caring for critically ill patients.
Q6: What themes does she explore in her plays?
She often explores family, inheritance, politics, cultural identity, and ethical complexity.
Q7: Has she won any awards?
Her play The Estate was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting in 2020.
Q8: How does her medical career influence her art?
Her medical experiences provide authenticity, compassion, and realism in her writing, particularly in works like Under the Mask.
Q9: What impact has she made in theatre?
She has been recognized as one of the most promising British Asian voices in contemporary theatre.
Q10: What is Shaan Sahota’s legacy?
Her legacy is her ability to combine healing through medicine with healing through storytelling, making her an inspiration across fields.
