Mumbai, January 31, 2026 — In internet slang, “delulu is the solulu” is often used tongue-in-cheek. For Riya Shibu, however, it has turned into a lived reality. The actor-influencer, who has captured audiences with her performance in Nivin Pauly’s blockbuster Sarvam Maya, says her life has shifted in ways she is still trying to process.
From unanswered audition calls and constant self-doubt to walking onto sets where she is finally seen, Riya’s journey has been anything but linear. And at the centre of it all is a film that blends fantasy, warmth and emotional honesty — anchored by a “friendly ghost” and an unexpectedly life-changing opportunity.
“I Was Always Wondering If I Was Enough”
Before Sarvam Maya, Riya Shibu was best known as a digital creator, building a loyal following through relatable reels and sharp observational humour. But behind the camera-ready confidence was a familiar struggle.
“There were days when I felt invisible,” Riya admits. “I’d get audition calls, prepare endlessly, and then never hear back. It makes you question your talent, your timing, everything.”
The transition from influencer to actor is rarely smooth, and Riya says the industry’s unspoken hierarchies often made her feel like she didn’t belong. “You keep telling yourself to manifest, to believe — and sometimes that belief feels almost delusional,” she laughs. “But I held on.”
The Sarvam Maya Turning Point
That persistence paid off when Sarvam Maya came her way — a film that would go on to become one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest hits of the year. Headlined by Nivin Pauly, the film blends supernatural elements with deeply human emotions, striking a chord with audiences across age groups.
Riya plays a key supporting role that gradually unfolds into one of the film’s emotional anchors. “What I loved instantly was that my character wasn’t loud or performative,” she says. “She had quiet moments, silences, vulnerabilities — things I relate to deeply.”
Working With Nivin Pauly: “He Makes You Feel Safe”
One of the most talked-about aspects of Sarvam Maya has been its ensemble chemistry, particularly Riya’s scenes with Nivin Pauly.
“He has this rare ability to make everyone around him comfortable,” Riya shares. “On my first day, I was nervous — not just because he’s a star, but because I didn’t want to mess up. He just smiled and said, ‘Relax, we’ll find the scene together.’ That changed everything.”
According to Riya, that reassurance allowed her to stop performing for the camera and start being present within the scene — a shift audiences clearly responded to.
When Audiences Became the Validation
Post-release, Sarvam Maya didn’t just succeed at the box office — it sparked emotional conversations online. Clips featuring Riya’s scenes began circulating on social media, with viewers praising her natural screen presence.
“I started getting messages from people saying they saw themselves in my character,” she says. “That kind of validation hits differently. It’s not about numbers — it’s about connection.”
For someone who once feared she wasn’t “enough,” that response has been transformative.
From Delulu to Solulu — For Real
Today, Riya Shibu stands at an inflection point in her career. With new scripts coming in and casting rooms finally opening their doors, she remains grounded — but hopeful.
“If believing in yourself when nothing is working makes you delusional, then maybe we need more of that delusion,” she says. “Because sometimes, that’s the only solution.”
And if Sarvam Maya proved anything, it’s that persistence, timing and a little bit of magic — cinematic or otherwise — can change everything.
