Sarvam Maya actor Riya Shibu on how she became the Gen Z ghost Delulu in Nivin Pauly’s fun film
Sarvam Maya turned out to be a game-changer not just for Nivin Pauly but also for the young actress Riya Shibu, who has been receiving much love after the Malayalam film’s Christmas 2025 release.
Last Updated: 11.28 AM, Jan 07, 2026
The Malayalam film Sarvam Maya marks the grand comeback of actor Nivin Pauly after a hiatus. However, Sarvam Maya turned out to be a game-changer not just for Nivin Pauly but also for the young actress Riya Shibu, who has been receiving much love after the film’s Christmas 2025 release. Riya Shibu plays ‘Delulu’, a friendly Gen Z ghost, in Nivin Pauly’s fun entertainer.
Why Riya Shibu was cast in Nivin Pauly’s Sarvam Maya
Director Akhil Sathyan helms Sarvam Maya, which stars Nivin Pauly, Riya Shibu and Aju Varghese. In an interview with The New Indian Express, Riya Shibu revealed that Akhil had come across one of her interviews where she was talking in a mix of English and Malayalam, like most youngsters do.
Also read: Sarvam Maya Review: Akhil Sathyan's film is more comedic than scary with a 'classic' Nivin Pauly
Akhil then reached out to her father, producer Shibu Thameens, and a casual chat at a cafe between the director-actress turned out to be Riya’s look test which she cleared with flying colours.
On being a Gen Z ghost, Riya Shibu said that the character was very relatable to her as she was more or less playing her age, and has similar characteristics or interests like Delulu. The actress admitted that she put up K-Pop singers' photos as DP, and is obsessed with online shopping, traits that marked her character in the film. In fact, the changing of the WhatsApp profile pic on the phone of Prabhendu (Nivin Pauly) was one of the first instances when the viewers are informed about a supernatural presence in the film.
Who is Riya Shibu
Riya Shibu is a Malayalam actress, who shot to instant fame after the release of Sarvam Maya on December 25, 2025. Her natural and charming portrayal of the spirit, called Delulu (as she does not know her name), instantly won over the audiences. Riya is the daughter of producer Shibu Thameens and the sister of actor Hridhu Haroon, last seen in the Tamil film Dude, starring actors Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju
Sarvam Maya movie FAQs
Q. Which platform is Ott for Sarvam Maya movie?
A. The Malayalam movie Sarvam Maya is currently running in theatres. The Nivin Pauly film will drop on a popular OTT platform after its theatrical run.
Q. Whose daughter is Riya Shibu?
A. Malayalam Actress Riya Shibu is the the daughter of producer Shibu Thameens and sister of actor Hridhu Haroon.
Q. What is Riya Shibu known for?
A. Riya Shibu is known for her charming performance as the ghost, Delulu, in Nivin Pauly's film Sarvam Maya.