Riya Shibu is Gen Z’s new starlet

It actually began very casually. Akhil Sathyan (director of Sarvam Maya) already had a script in mind, but while scrolling through Instagram, he came across a radio interview of mine where I was talking about production. He liked the way I spoke, especially how I mixed Malayalam and English. He had my father’s contact and asked him if I was interested in acting. My dad told him to call me directly. I was immediately interested because I had watched Akhil’s previous film Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum and really liked it. We spoke on the phone and instantly clicked. He began telling me about the character and described her as a ghost who feels like a friend. That instantly worked for me. I did an audition and within 10–20 minutes of sending it, he called me and asked to meet at Kappa Chakka Kandhari. We were just eating fish and talking about life, family and films. Mid conversation, he casually took a video of me and later told me that was the look test. That same day, he told me I was cast.

Very quickly. Akhil kept reworking the script after meeting me and even called me at times to ask how I would react in certain situations. Once Nivin Pauly heard the revised script, he asked if the shoot could begin in ten days. That’s how fast it moved. The shoot wrapped up quickly, the edit was done in a short span and the film released by December. Akhil was extremely clear about everything — music, edit, sound and placement. The film already existed in his head.

Overwhelming in a good way. It’s the kind of happiness where you smile and suddenly have tears in your eyes. People received me like I was their own. Many told me they were praying for me and hoping to see me in more films. Some people even said the character gave them closure after losing someone close. They imagined their loved ones existing somewhere like Delulu, singing and dancing. That really touched me. Theories about the film, especially about the love angle, have also been fascinating to read.

He’s a very proud, very happy dad. Whenever he calls me, he starts by saying, ‘It is a proud dad calling.’

Yes, very much so. My parents always advised me to finish my studies first and I’m grateful I listened. I don’t think I was mature enough during school to handle a career in cinema. College helped me step out of my comfort zone, meet people from different places and understand boundaries — personal and professional. I consciously decided to finish college and then enter cinema. Interestingly, Sarvam Maya happened just as my college ended. It felt like perfect timing.

Yes. I was always drawn to creative work — drawing, photography, editing and storytelling. I loved creating stories even through random edits. In college, when I studied film, I got to explore direction, production and acting more deeply. Being around my parents also helped me understand production practically. I’m grateful for that exposure.

Akhil helped me find that balance. He would ask me to be myself but also gently correct me when needed. For example, if I reacted too casually in a situation that required politeness, he would make me think about how I would behave in real life. He always asked me to focus on the intention rather than the emotion. Once you understand what you’re trying to say, the emotion follows naturally.

Aju has incredible range. He can deliver the same line in multiple ways — funny, serious or both. Despite his experience, he never makes you feel small. He’s very open about mistakes and learning. Nivin is extremely relaxed. As a co-actor, he gives you space, especially during emotional scenes. He helped me feel comfortable being vulnerable. There’s a quiet magic in how he conveys emotion, especially through his eyes.

Yes, very honestly. They told me not every day will be positive and not every film will be received well. The only advice was to keep going, trust myself and not lose who I am.

Very simple. Yoga or some physical activity, reading, drawing or painting. I spend time with family and friends, visit my grandparents or just sit with my dad while he works. Every day is different, so I don’t really have a strict routine.

Yes. I’ve done hip hop on and off since school. Classical dance was new and intimidating for me. I was scared of being judged, but Brinda Master (Brinda Gopal) really pushed me. She helped me get out of my own head. That experience taught me how much the mind can limit you. Her energy is infectious. I’m very grateful to her.

Life is flexible. Content creation will always stay with me. Acting depends on good stories and good teams. Production is still a learning phase, but I’m absorbing a lot just by being on sets. I’ll definitely explore it more seriously in the future.

Comfort. It keeps changing, but comfort is key. I love experimenting — mixing traditional with modern, but at the end of the day, it has to feel easy and natural.

Sarvam Maya felt like home. Athiradi feels like college. It’s energetic, chaotic, full of friends, laughter and banter. Both experiences are special in very different ways.