
Ayush Srivastava
Ayush Srivastava is a seasoned Sub Editor at India.com (Zee Media), where he specializes in the high-octane world of global entertainment. With more than four years of experience in the media industry ... Read More
The Christmas release Sarvam Maya has turned into a festive favourite for Malayalam moviegoers. While the film has been appreciated for its mix of humour and horror, it has also introduced audiences to a promising young actress. Riya Shibu, who plays the titular role of Maya, has quietly emerged as one of the film’s biggest takeaways, sparking curiosity about her background and journey.
The film opened to encouraging responses at the box office, and viewers praised its entertaining narrative. Amid familiar faces, Riya’s confident screen presence stood out, especially considering that she is still at an early stage of her acting career.
In Sarvam Maya, Riya delivers a balanced performance that blends charm with mystery. Sharing screen space with experienced actors like Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese and Vinith, she holds her ground with ease. Her portrayal of Maya has been widely appreciated for its natural flow and emotional control, making her one of the most talked-about newcomers this season.

Born in 2004, Riya Shibu entered the film industry at a young age. She made her acting debut with the Malayalam film Cup, where she played a lead role. Even during her debut phase, she showed an interest in understanding cinema beyond acting, often expressing curiosity about visuals and storytelling.
At just 19, Riya achieved a rare milestone by becoming one of the youngest film producers in India. Through her production banner, she has been associated with several notable projects across languages. Her production credits include Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 starring Chiyaan Vikram, the Malayalam film Mura, the Hindi remake of Maanagaaram, Mumbaikar, and the Tamil film Thugs.

Riya studied at Trivandrum International School before moving to Chennai for higher education. She later enrolled at Loyola College, where she pursued a degree in Visual Communication. From a young age, she was inclined towards art and painting, which helped shape her visual sensibility and creative outlook.
Before stepping into mainstream cinema, Riya built a strong digital presence. She began by creating short videos on platforms like Dubsmash and TikTok and later became active on Instagram during the lockdown. One of her reels, based on a dialogue from the film Kaththi, went viral and crossed over 8.5 million views, significantly boosting her popularity.
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