‘The cutest ghost in Malayalam cinema’: Internet reacts to Riya Shibu in ‘Sarvam Maya’
The 21-year-old, who plays the character Delulu in the film, has caught audience attention with a performance that many say feels both effortless and instantly endearing.
The 21-year-old, who plays the character Delulu in the film, has caught audience attention with a performance that many say feels both effortless and instantly endearing.
The 21-year-old, who plays the character Delulu in the film, has caught audience attention with a performance that many say feels both effortless and instantly endearing.
Actor-producer Riya Shibu has quickly become one of the most talked-about names following the release of Nivin Pauly–starrer ‘Sarvam Maya’. The 21-year-old, who plays the character Delulu in the film, has caught audience attention with a performance that many say feels both effortless and instantly endearing.
Riya is the daughter of producer Shibu Thameens, who has backed major projects such as Chiyaan Vikram’s ‘Veera Dheera Sooran – Part 2’. While her industry lineage was not widely known before ‘Sarvam Maya’, the film has clearly marked a turning point for the young actor. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been buzzing with praise for her screen presence and her easy chemistry with Nivin Pauly.
One user described her as “the cutest ghost in Malayalam cinema”, while another wrote, “She was soooo cute. From start to end she was so cool, doing everything with an ease that feels like watching someone post random Instagram stories.” Another comment read, “Outstanding work by Riya Shibu in ‘Sarvam Maya’. A refreshing and confident performance. This talent is just getting started.” Some viewers have even gone as far as calling Delulu “one of the best-written female characters in recent times”.
Riya made her acting debut with ‘Cup’ in 2024, opposite Mathew Thomas. With ‘Sarvam Maya’, she appears to have found a role that showcases her natural charm and timing, earning her a warm reception from audiences.
Directed by Akhil Sathyan, ‘Sarvam Maya’ has been receiving positive word of mouth, with many calling it a comeback film for Nivin Pauly. Fans have also been appreciating the actor’s chemistry with Aju Varghese. The film follows Prabhendu, an atheist Hindu priest played by Nivin Pauly, a contradiction that immediately sets the tone. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a fantastical presence, a spirit that gently pushes him to confront his beliefs and emotional detachment from the world around him.