Sarvam Maya star Riya Shibu: 'Nivin Pauly is a real 'pookie' off screen which helped...' | Exclusive

With her charismatic portrayal of Delulu in Nivin Pauly's most recent film, Sarvam Maya, Malayalam actress Riya Shibu has succeeded in winning audiences' love. Speaking with her makes it clear that she possesses the same level of energy as the main character you see in the film. Riya discussed her chemistry with the Premam star and how her brother, Hridhu Haroon, offered her the most insightful comments about working in the industry in an exclusive interview with OTTplay.

'Nivin Pauly, a real pookie'

The young actress said that Nivin was the most friendly and genuine person on the set, which strengthened their relationship over time while filming. "At first, I was anxious since it's obviously Nivin Pauly! However, we quickly became friends, and that's what created the chemistry you witnessed on screen," she explained. Riya continued by saying that the main reason she liked working on the set with Nivin and director Akhil Sathyan was because they were there to encourage and reassure her when needed. She continued, "We used to have a lot of conversations and shared feedback, which was actually helpful for me when performing Delulu." 

"I even gave Nivin some Gen Z lessons! For example, during a casual talk between us, the Korean 'finger heart' came up. Akhil loved it and incorporated it into the movie," she revealed.

Also Read: Sarvam Maya star Riya Shibu on being compared to Nayanthara, Nazriya; says 'utterly overwhelming' | Exclusive

'Hridhu Haroon's valuable words'

Hridhu Haroon, Riya's brother, is already well-known for his performances in All We Imagine As Light, Mura and the Tamil film, Dude. "He really helps me in confronting my doubtful feelings. I tell him about my concerns all the time. All he said was to focus on my intentions, not external stuff, and don't get derailed from what I have in mind to do," the actress said.

Hridhu had previously discussed how adept Riya is at multitasking in interviews with OTTplay. When questioned about it, she joked that her brother simply enjoys complimenting her. "I don't think of myself as a multitasker. To be honest, nothing seems like a chore when I do what I love," she went on. Riya is currently filming her next film, Athiradi, starring Basil Joseph, Tovino Thomas and Vineeth Sreenivasan, which is slated to release in May.

Sarvam Maya FAQs

Q. When will Sarvam Maya release?

A. Sarvam Maya, starring Nivin Pauly, released in theatres on December 25, 2025

Q. Who is playing Delulu in Sarvam Maya?

A. Riya Shibu, who is a film producer and social media influencer, is playing Delulu in Sarvam Maya. She is also the sister of actor Hridhu Haroon, who is known for his performances in Dude, Mura and All We Imagine As Light.