• Source:JND

Sarvam Mayam: The Malayalam film Sarvam Maya, starring Nivin Pauly, hit theatres on December 25, 2025, coinciding with Christmas. Directed by Akhil Sathyan, the fantasy horror romantic comedy has opened to positive reviews, with audiences praising its feel-good tone and unique storyline. Alongside Nivin Pauly, one name that has caught everyone’s attention is Riya Shibu, whose performance as an adorable and ‘delulu’ ghost has won widespread appreciation.

Who Is Riya Shibu?

Riya Shibu is the daughter of well-known South Indian film producer Shibu Thameens. He owns Thameens Films, a Chennai-based production house, along with a chain of theatres and a distribution company that focuses on Tamil and Malayalam cinema. Over the years, Shibu Thameens has been associated with several big-ticket films, including ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi, Iru Mugan, Saamy Square, and Vijay’s Puli. His company has also distributed major blockbusters like RRR and Kamal Haasan’s Vikram. Born on September 22, 2004, Riya is 21 years old as of 2025. Despite her young age, she has already worn multiple hats in the film industry as  producer, content creator, and now actor.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Riya Shibu (@riyashibu_)

Before stepping in front of the camera, Riya Shibu made her debut as a producer. She backed the Vikram-starrer Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 under her family banner, gaining first-hand experience behind the scenes. Her acting debut came with the Malayalam sports drama Cup in 2024, directed by Sanju V. Samuel and starring Mathew Thomas and Basil Joseph. Though her role was relatively low-key, it marked her official entry into cinema as an actor.

Riya Shibu was already a familiar face among Gen Z audiences before Sarvam Maya. She gained popularity on platforms like Dubsmash, TikTok, and Instagram, where her transition videos, fashion reels, and humorous content went viral. One of her Instagram reels featuring a dialogue from Kaththi brought her massive attention online. Her strong social media presence helped her connect with younger audiences, which has now translated into popularity on the big screen.

Also Read: Who Is Sunaina Roshan? Know About Hrithik Roshan’s Sister, Once Addicted To Alcohol And Diagnosed With Cancer

Riya Shibu’s Role In Sarvam Maya

In Sarvam Maya, Riya plays a friendly ghost described as “delulu”, a slang term often used online to mean delusional, but in the film’s context, it refers to illusion. The film follows the story of Prabhendhu Namboothiri, a young priest whose life changes after encountering this supernatural presence. Riya’s innocent charm and expressive performance have made her character one of the film’s highlights.

What’s Next For Riya Shibu?

Following the success of Sarvam Maya, Riya Shibu is set to play a co-lead role in Athiradi, starring Tovino Thomas, Vineeth Sreenivasan, and Basil Joseph. 

Also In News