Riya Sen

Riya first appeared as a child artist in the film when she was five years old. Later, in 1991 she worked as a child actress in the film Vishkanya, where she played the role of the young Pooja Bedi. At the age of 19, she did National Film Awards winning director Bharathiraja's Tamil film, Taj Mahal (2000) which was written by Mani Ratnam while music was composed by A. R. Rahman, which did not achieve commercial success.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} She was scheduled to make her Bollywood film debut in Love You Hamesha, opposite actor Akshaye Khanna; however, the film was stalled, and she finally made her debut in N. Chandra's Style in 2001. This low-budget comedy{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Harneet |title=Friday ko kya ho raha hai? |publisher=Times of India |date=10 September 2002 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/24797889.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227113529/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/24797889.cms |archive-date=27 December 2008 }} was the first commercial success in over a decade for the director. A launch pad for Riya, cast in the female lead along with fellow-newcomers, Sharman Joshi, Sahil Khan and Shilpi Mudgal, the film pioneered a trend of commercial success for small budget films in India.{{cite news |title=Style sets new Bollywood 'Sen'sation |date=30 April 2002 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Style-sets-new-Bollywood-Sensation/articleshow/8490998.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026093515/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-04-30/news-interviews/27140641_1_filmmakers-star-formula |url-status=live |archive-date=26 October 2012 |work=The Times of India |access-date=31 May 2008}}{{cite news |title=Talk of the Town |date=2 January 2002 |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/01/02/stories/2002010201900200.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113235857/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/01/02/stories/2002010201900200.htm |archive-date=13 January 2011 |work=The Hindu }} Riya and the second female lead of the film were replaced by aspirant actresses Sonali Joshi and Jaya Seal in Xcuse Me.{{cite news |title=Are you ready for comedy? |publisher=Times of India |date=3 June 2003 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/are-you-ready-for-comedy/articleshow/2582.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |first1=Nikita |last1=Doval |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114155327/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Are-you-ready-for-comedy/articleshow/2582.cms |archive-date=14 November 2012 }}

Her next success was Jhankaar Beats, comedy revolving around the music of legendary composer R D Burman, which saw her playing a small and glamorous role alongside Shayan Munshi, Juhi Chawla, Rahul Bose, Rinke Khanna and Sanjay Suri. Produced by Pritish Nandy, publishing director of The Times of India,{{cite news |title=Bollywood bug bites Hollywood |publisher=Times of India |date=23 July 2003 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/90550.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |first1=Suresh |last1=Nair |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227115403/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/90550.cms |archive-date=27 December 2008 }} the film was made on a budget of Rs. 25 million (US$525,000), marking the sixth in a row of small to medium budget films made by Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC).{{cite news |title=Box-office bonanza |publisher=Hindu Business Online |date=30 January 2003 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2003/06/30/stories/2003063000160400.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618150616/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2003/06/30/stories/2003063000160400.htm |archive-date=18 June 2007 }} Despite being part of a wave of offbeat films that mostly failed to make an impact at the box office,{{cite news |title='Bhoot' factor makes way for this week's offbeat films |publisher=NewIndPress |date=17 June 2003 |url=http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IEE20030617032558&Title=Startrek&rLink=0 |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030701025324/http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IEE20030617032558&Title=Startrek&rLink=0 |archive-date=1 July 2003 }}{{cite news |title=Plan focuses on male bonding |publisher=Times of India |date=7 January 2004 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/409514.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |first1=Subhash K |last1=Jha |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227114924/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/409514.cms |archive-date=27 December 2008 }} it drew public attention upon its release, which led to a commercial success among a restricted audience targeted by a selective release in twenty cities. It was one of the first films made in Hinglish, a mixture of Hindi and English.{{cite news |title=It's boom time for Hinglish films |publisher=Times of India |date=13 January 2003 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/34221273.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227141220/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/34221273.cms |archive-date=27 December 2008 }}{{cite news |title=Where are 'Made in India' English films headed? |publisher=Music India Online |date=5 November 2007 |url=http://www.musicindiaonline.com/n/i/hindi/696/ |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614002342/http://www.musicindiaonline.com/n/i/hindi/696/ |archive-date=14 June 2008 }}

Her films Style and Jhankar Beats have done wonders commercially. Her latter films Harry Baweja's Qayamat and Subhash Ghai's Apna Sapna Money Money were also box office hits and that ran for 150 days. These films were 4 consecutive hits in a row. While many of her appearances have been item numbers and cameos,{{cite news |last=Almadi |first=Manisha |title=There's too much politics in Bollywood |publisher=Times of India |date=17 October 2006 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/theres-too-much-politics-in-bollywood/articleshow/2190528.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114160214/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Theres-too-much-politics-in-Bollywood/articleshow/2190528.cms |archive-date=14 November 2012 }}{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Mandvi |title=Oh Riya-lly! |publisher=Times of India |date=14 October 2005 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangalore-times/oh-riya-lly/articleshow/1263025.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114160634/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangalore-times/Oh-Riya-lly/articleshow/1263025.cms |archive-date=14 November 2012 }}{{cite news |last=Staff Reporter |title=Screen On & Off |publisher=The Telegraph |date=30 June 2005 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050630/asp/calcutta/story_4931480.asp |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Calcutta, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204104511/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050630/asp/calcutta/story_4931480.asp |archive-date=4 December 2008 }} few of her leading roles have been in Low-budget films. Though she had small roles in Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002), Qayamat (2003) and Plan (2004), attention was drawn to her item numbers in all three, especially the one in Qayamat that featured her in a bubble-bath.{{cite news |title=In your dreams, honey...! |publisher=Times of India |date=10 June 2004 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/in-your-dreams-honey-/articleshow/729173.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |first1=Dhiman |last1=Chattopadhyay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427005303/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/in-your-dreams-honey-/articleshow/729173.cms |archive-date=27 April 2016 }} Besides this, she performed another item number in James (2005) on director-producer Ram Gopal Varma's behest, who has a history of casting aspirant actress-models like Sameera Reddy, Isha Koppikar and Koena Mitra in similar roles.{{cite news |title=Factory fresh |publisher=The Telegraph |date=30 June 2005 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050630/asp/calcutta/story_4931480.asp |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Calcutta, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204104511/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050630/asp/calcutta/story_4931480.asp |archive-date=4 December 2008 }} Furthermore, she took part in a dance number for Sajid Khan's Heyy Babyy (2007) that featured several mainstream Bollywood actresses.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Riya has, in addition to Hindi films, appeared in Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English films. Her film career began in the earnest with Tamil films such as Bharathi Raja's Taj Mahal, co-starring Manjoj Bharatiraja in the male lead, and Manoj Bhatnaghar's Good Luck, opposite Prashanth. Both of the films failed commercially, she also did a dance number for N. Maharajan's Arasatchi.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Her first English language movie was It Was Raining That Night, a remake of the Bengali film Hei Brishtir Raat, scripted by Sudeshna Roy and directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. In the film, she collaborated with her mother Moon Moon Sen.{{cite news |title=Sush makes her Bangla debut |publisher=Times of India |date=19 March 2003 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/sush-makes-her-bangla-debut/articleshow/40704551.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114161119/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/Sush-makes-her-Bangla-debut/articleshow/40704551.cms |archive-date=14 November 2012 }} Riya was slated to appear in Anjan Dutt's Bengali-English bilingual film The Bong Connection with her sister, but she was eventually dropped from the project and replaced by Peeya Rai Chaudhary. The two sisters were later cast together in director Ajai Sinha's 3 Bachelors, a Bengali film that started as The Bachelor in 2002 and was released in 2012.{{cite news |title=Fun, Raima, fun |publisher=Times of India |date=24 March 2003 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/pune-times/fun-raima-fun/articleshow/41209564.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114161556/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/pune-times/Fun-Raima-fun/articleshow/41209564.cms |archive-date=14 November 2012 }}Shakti Shetty, "[https://www.mid-day.com/articles/films-that-saw-a-release-after-a-long-wait/225496 Films That Saw A Release After A Long Wait] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629013222/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/films-that-saw-a-release-after-a-long-wait/225496 |date=29 June 2020 }}", Mid-day, 5 August 2013

Her most successful non-Hindi film has been director Santhosh Sivan's Ananthabhadram (2005). The first Malayalam venture for both Riya and Sivan,{{cite news |title=Movie Review: Ananthabhadram |publisher=Chennaionline.com |date=9 December 2005 |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2005/12anandabhadram.asp |last=Mannath |first=Malini |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610185930/http://chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2005/12anandabhadram.asp |archive-date=10 June 2008 }} was both a critical and commercial success. It won five Kerala State Film Awards{{cite news |title=Thanmatra, Ananthabhadram bag five State film awards each |date=2 August 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/08/stories/2006020820990100.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416132151/http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/08/stories/2006020820990100.htm |archive-date=16 April 2007 |work=The Hindu }} and surfaced as one of the biggest Malayalam successes that year.{{cite news |title=Santosh on a roll |date=24 November 2005 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/11/24/stories/2005112400380100.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205214148/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/11/24/stories/2005112400380100.htm |archive-date=5 February 2008 |work=The Hindu }}{{cite news |title=2005 – An analysis |website=Sify |date=22 December 2005 |url=http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=14055617 |access-date=13 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217203859/http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=14055617 |archive-date=17 December 2007 }} She played the role of Bhama in the film, a village girl who is lured by Digambaran, the evil magician portrayed by Manoj K. Jayan. In a song-and-dance sequence showing Digambaran turning Bhama into a medium for demonic rituals, the choreographer Aparna Sindoor made abundant use of Kathakali movements.{{cite news |title=Mesmerising mystery |date=2 August 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/09/23/stories/2005092301510100.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618113333/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/09/23/stories/2005092301510100.htm |archive-date=18 June 2008 |work=The Hindu }} The use of Kathakali has been a high point in the resurgence of the classical dance form in other major Indian films as well,{{cite news |title=Indian Dance |publisher=BBC |date=2 August 2006 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2982378 |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226022015/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2982378 |archive-date=26 February 2008 }} including Shaji Karun's Vanaprastham (1999) and Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair (2005).{{cite web |title=Vanaprastham |publisher=Keral |url=http://www.keral.com/celebrities/shajikarun/films.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031155733/http://www.keral.com/celebrities/shajikarun/films.htm |archive-date=31 October 2006 }}{{cite news |title=Kathakali comes alive on screen |publisher=Deccan Herald |date=2 August 2006 |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/jul32005/finearts113624200572.asp |access-date=29 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122721/http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/jul32005/finearts113624200572.asp |archive-date=29 September 2007 }} She made her Telugu debut with Nenu Meeku Telusa?, in which she was paired opposite Manoj Manchu.{{Cite web |last=Jeevi |date=10 October 2008 |title=Nenu Meeku Telusa? movie review – Telugu cinema Review – Manoj Manchu, Riya Sen & Sneha Ullal |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-nenumeekutelusa.html |access-date=13 September 2020 |website=Idlebrain.com |archive-date=4 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704111127/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-nenumeekutelusa.html |url-status=live }}

In 2012 Sen won the Star Guide Award as best actress for her performance in Noukadubi.{{cite web |url=http://odishatv.in/?p=11203 |title=Riya Sen, Parno Mitra win Star Guide Awards |publisher=Odishatv.in |date=7 June 2012 |access-date=2 September 2015 |archive-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202160441/https://odishatv.in/?p=11203 |url-status=live }}

She was also featured in video song of Kamaal Khan album Suno To Deewana Dil in song Jaana.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

File:Riya Sen at Lakme Fashion Week 2011.jpg, 2011]]

Riya became a popular model when she appeared in numerous music videos for songs by popular singers, including Falguni Pathak's Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi (alternative title: Chudi Jo Khankayi), Asha Bhosle's Jhumka Gira Re, Jagjit Singh and Bhosle's Jab Samne Tum and Kahin Kahin Se, Lata Mangeshkar, Bhonsle and Singh's Dil Kahin Hosh Kahin, Sonu Nigam's Jeena Hai Tere Liye and Shaan's Sutta Maro. She shot for her first music video, Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi, at the age of sixteen.{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Aparna |title=And now, Riya creates a Sen-sation! |work=India Times |publisher=Times of India |date=5 January 2003 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/and-now-riya-creates-a-sen-sation/articleshow/8540.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105210705/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/And-now-Riya-creates-a-Sen-sation/articleshow/8540.cms |archive-date=5 November 2012 }}{{cite news |last=Shahin |first=Ruhi |title=What is the big deal about being sexy? |work=India Times |publisher=Times of India |date=5 January 2003 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1913578.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921143601/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1913578.cms |archive-date=21 September 2008 }} This led to her being identified primarily as a performer for music videos early in her career,{{cite news |title=I was stuck with a sexy image |publisher=Times of India |date=4 May 2004 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/i-was-stuck-with-a-sexy-image/articleshow/657469.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |first1=Deepa |last1=Rao |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114162352/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/I-was-stuck-with-a-sexy-image/articleshow/657469.cms |archive-date=14 November 2012 }} an image she aimed to shed in 2005.{{cite news |title=More than oomph |publisher=The Telegraph |date=31 January 2005 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050131/asp/calcutta/story_4315499.asp |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Calcutta, India |first=Reshmi |last=Sengupta |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206134922/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050131/asp/calcutta/story_4315499.asp |archive-date=6 December 2008 }} Riya has appeared on several magazine covers, including Femina, Elaan,Elaan, August–September 1999 Man's World,Man's World, February 2007 Gladrags, Savvy and Indian versions of Elle, Maxim and Cosmopolitan,Cosmopolitan, February 2004; Cosmopolitan, February 2007 as well as on the ramp of major fashion shows like Lakmé Fashion Week (2005–07) and Wills Fashion Week (2006–2007). She participated in fashion shows along with her elder sister, Raima Sen.{{cite news |last=Pradhan |first=Bharathi S. |title=Riya and Raima, Lolo and Bebo |publisher=The Telegraph |date=8 June 2007 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070408/asp/7days/story_7619680.asp |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Calcutta, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130131510/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070408/asp/7days/story_7619680.asp |archive-date=30 January 2008 }}

Besides modelling, Riya has ventured into the advertisement world as well. A high point of her modelling career came in 2006, when she became the soft drink, Limca's brand ambassador, replacing Deepika Padukone.{{cite news |title=Coca-Cola signs up Riya as brand ambassador for Limca |author=PTI |publisher=Access My Library |date=11 February 2008 |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-14436366_ITM |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222123756/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-14436366_ITM |archive-date=22 December 2008 }}{{cite web |title=Limca: Water, water everywhere |publisher=AgencyFAQs |date=11 February 2008 |url=http://www.afaqs.com/perl/news/index.html?sid=17477 |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725054516/http://www.afaqs.com/perl/news/index.html?sid=17477 |archive-date=25 July 2011 }} Her other notable assignments include Colgate, Dabur Vatika, Reliance Industries, Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate, and Nirma.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

In 2004, she was featured partially nude in leading Indian photographer Dabboo Ratnani's annual calendar, which is a major happening in the Indian glamour industry.{{cite news |last=Vijayakar |first=Rajiv |title=Capturing the X factor: Daboo Ratnan |publisher=Deccan Herald |date=3 February 2006 |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb32006/living113218200623.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314001753/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb32006/living113218200623.asp |archive-date=14 March 2007 |access-date=31 May 2008}}{{cite news |last=Ratnani |first=Dabboo |title=24 frames make a year |publisher=The Telegraph |date=6 January 2006 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060106/asp/calcutta/story_5684379.asp |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Calcutta, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206134947/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060106/asp/calcutta/story_5684379.asp |archive-date=6 December 2008 }} According to Daboo, "Her mother saw it much later, after the calendar released. She thought it was too sexy, and Riya shouldn't have done it. But the response to the photograph was superb. Riya was so thrilled that for her next ad campaign, she asked me to light her up like I did in this."{{cite web |last=Ratnani |first=Daboo |title=Riya has one of the finest faces |publisher=Rediff |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/23slid6.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013223045/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/23slid6.htm |archive-date=13 October 2007 }} A career highlight for the model,{{cite news |last=Ratnani |first=Dabboo |title=Being Riya |date=29 February 2008 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Being-Riya/articleshow/2823229.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026100814/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-29/news-interviews/27754012_1_telugu-film-riya-sen-tamil-film |url-status=live |archive-date=26 October 2012 |work=The Times of India |access-date=31 May 2008}} it led to a three-year contract with Ratnani to feature her on his annual calendar.Shoma A. Chatterji, "[https://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110529/spectrum/main8.htm I want stronger roles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407160457/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110529/spectrum/main8.htm |date=7 April 2023 }}", The Tribune (Spectrum), 29 May 2011 She is the only female face to be featured on the calendar for five consecutive years (2003–2007).{{cite web |title=Riya has one of the finest faces |author=Dabboo Ratnani |work=Rediff special |publisher=Rediff |year=2004 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/23slid6.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013223045/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/23slid6.htm |archive-date=13 October 2007 }}{{cite web |title=Dabboo Ratnani's 2004 calendar launched |work=Films |publisher=Screen India |year=2004 |url=http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=7066 |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220913/http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=7066 |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}

File:Riya and Raima Sen.jpg (left) and Riya Sen (right)]]

Born on 24 January 1981 in Kolkata, West Bengal, Riya is the daughter of Moon Moon Sen, a former actress,{{cite news |last=Vasisht |first=Divya |title=Straight Answers |publisher=Times of India |date=7 November 2002 |url=http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/13594453.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227141210/http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/13594453.cms |archive-date=27 December 2008 }}{{cite news |last=Jha |first=Subhash K |title=Riya and Raima Sen to act together |publisher=Mid-Day |date=28 March 2008 |url=http://www.mid-day.com/web/guest/entertainment/bollywood/article?_EXT_5_articleId=1057159&_EXT_5_groupId=14 |access-date=10 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430020519/http://www.mid-day.com/web/guest/entertainment/bollywood/article?_EXT_5_articleId=1057159&_EXT_5_groupId=14 |archive-date=30 April 2008 }} and granddaughter of Suchitra Sen, a legend in Bengali cinema.{{Cite book |last=Chatterji |first=Shoma A. |title=Suchitra Sen : A Legend in Her Lifetime |place=New Delhi |publisher=Rupa & Co. |year=2002 |isbn=81-7167-998-6}} Before leaving for Mumbai, she lived in Kolkata with her parents and sister Raima Sen, also an actress. Her father Bharat Dev Varma is a member of the royal family of Tripura.[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/bollywoods-royal-connection/the-royal-family-strikes-a-regal-pose/photostory/61151062.cms Bollywood's royal connection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714201036/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/bollywoods-royal-connection/the-royal-family-strikes-a-regal-pose/photostory/61151062.cms |date=14 July 2020 }}, Times of India Her paternal grandmother, Ila Devi, was a princess of Cooch Behar, whose younger sister Gayatri Devi was the Maharani of Jaipur.Hemchhaya De, [https://www.femina.in/celebs/maharani-gayatri-devi-iron-fist-velvet-glove-124859.html Maharani Gayatri Devi: Iron fist, velvet glove] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627071353/https://www.femina.in/celebs/maharani-gayatri-devi-iron-fist-velvet-glove-124859.html |date=27 June 2020 }}, Femina, 30 May 2019 Her paternal great-grandmother Indira was the only daughter of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda.Anirudh Sethi, Royal Family of Baroda: Gaekwad's, page 7, Notion Press, 2019, ISBN, 9781645879794 Riya's maternal great-grandfather Adinath Sen was a prominent Kolkata businessman, whose father Dinanath Sen – a relative of former Union Law Minister Ashoke Kumar Sen- was the Diwan or a Minister of the Maharaja of Tripura.{{cite book |last=Chatterji |first=Shoma A. |title=Suchitra Sen: A Legend in Her Lifetime |publisher=Rupa & Co. |year=2002 |isbn=81-7167-998-6}} The sisters are credited on-screen under their mother's maiden name, although their official papers carry the surname Dev Varma.{{cite news |title=Will you change your surname after marriage? |publisher=Times of India |date=24 January 2004 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/will-you-change-your-surname-after-marriage/articleshow/443410.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |first1=Amrita |last1=Mukherjee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509230051/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/Will-you-change-your-surname-after-marriage/articleshow/443410.cms |archive-date=9 May 2011 }}

Riya completed her schooling in ICSE from Loreto House in Kolkata. She went on to studying philosophy in a Bengali uccha madhyamik school Rani Birla Girls' College (a University of Calcutta affiliate). Riya had a degree from the National Institute of Fashion Technology{{cite news |last=George |first=Vijay |title=Acting is a serious profession |date=18 June 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/06/18/stories/2005061802480100.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014042300/http://hindu.com/mp/2005/06/18/stories/2005061802480100.htm |archive-date=14 October 2007 |work=The Hindu }} NIFT Mumbai in fashion designing and information technology. She went to London to the Pinewood Actors Studio for acting course and simultaneously did voice and dubbing classes. She also did a couple of private acting workshops with renowned British teachers. She learnt the Queens English -British accent with renowned voice coach Barbara Berkeley. She studied in New York at the TV1 acting studio in Times Square. Riya has also done a course in Paris at the Institute Marangoni for fashion and image styling. Riya also did a course at the University of Arts in London in ‘branding' and a cooking course in Thailand at the blue elephant culinary school. Riya briefly practised kickboxing and karate.{{cite web | url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/10-facts-about-riya-sen-you-probably-didnt-know-20294171 | title=10 facts about Riya Sen you probably didn't know | date=24 January 2019 | access-date=27 August 2022 | archive-date=27 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827053448/https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/10-facts-about-riya-sen-you-probably-didnt-know-20294171 | url-status=live }} She is passionate about painting and has been painting since she was a baby. She's a certified yoga teacher. She did her 200 hours Teacher training course in Rishikesh for hatha vinyasa, Yin yoga teacher training course in dharamsala at the Trimurti school and Aerial yoga teacher training course from Ulu yoga in Bali.{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/bollywood-news-ragini-mms-returns-star-riya-sen-now-a-certified-yoga-trainer-3088011/|title=Ragini MMS Returns Star Riya Sen Now A Certified Yoga Trainer? | India.com|date=30 May 2018|website=www.india.com|access-date=27 August 2022|archive-date=27 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827053448/https://www.india.com/entertainment/bollywood-news-ragini-mms-returns-star-riya-sen-now-a-certified-yoga-trainer-3088011/|url-status=live}}

During the filming of Shaadi No. 1 in France, she was knocked unconscious after being accidentally run over by a stuntman's motorbike, but she was not seriously injured.{{cite news |title=Riya Sen's near death experience |publisher=Express India |date=25 August 2006 |url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=53427 |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070425225550/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=53427 |archive-date=25 April 2007 }}

In August 2017, Sen married her boyfriend Shivam Tewari in a private Bengali Hindu ceremony.{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/riya-sen-ties-the-knot-with-shivam-tewari-in-private-ceremony/articleshow/60121313.cms |title=Riya Sen ties the knot with Shivam Tewari in private ceremony |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=18 August 2017 |access-date=19 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821130028/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/riya-sen-ties-the-knot-with-shivam-tewari-in-private-ceremony/articleshow/60121313.cms |archive-date=21 August 2017 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/riya-sen-is-apparently-already-married-heres-what-we-know-1738876 |title=Riya Sen is Apparently Already Married. Here's What We Know |date=15 June 2017 |access-date=19 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819032113/http://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/riya-sen-is-apparently-already-married-heres-what-we-know-1738876 |archive-date=19 August 2017 }}

Riya's on-screen performances have established her as a bold youth icon in India.{{cite news |last=Siddiqui |first=Rana |title=Image matters |date=18 November 2005 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/06/18/stories/2005061800820400.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618114253/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/06/18/stories/2005061800820400.htm |archive-date=18 June 2008 |work=The Hindu }}{{cite news |last=George |first=Vijay |title=Mesmerising mystery |date=18 November 2005 |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/09/23/stories/2005092301510100.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618113333/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/09/23/stories/2005092301510100.htm |archive-date=18 June 2008 |work=The Hindu }} Since entering the film industry, she has gained attention for wearing a bikini in Shaadi No. 1{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} and sharing on-screen kisses with co-stars Ashmit Patel in Silsiilay and Sharman Joshi in Style, respectively. Such performances garnered negative attention because of the relatively conservative outlook of Indian cinema at that time and her own statements about such practices.{{cite news |last=Nandgaonkar |first=Satish |author2=Swagata Sen |title=Much ado about kissing |publisher=The Telegraph |date=19 December 2004 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041219/asp/look/story_4132447.asp |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Calcutta, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801184713/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041219/asp/look/story_4132447.asp |archive-date=1 August 2008 }} Riya's public persona is compared to her mother Moon Moon, who was seen as a sex symbol of her time,.{{cite news |title=Discover Moon Moon Sen's world |publisher=Times of India |date=5 June 2007 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bombay_Times/Discover_Moon_Moon_Sens_world/articleshow/2175357.cms |access-date=31 May 2008 |first1=Deepali |last1=Dhingra |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227112323/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bombay_Times/Discover_Moon_Moon_Sens_world/articleshow/2175357.cms |archive-date=27 December 2008 }}

Although her film career has yet to achieve large-scale success, Riya has generated considerable media attention. She was ranked ninth on Femina 50 Most Beautiful Women, published in the magazine's September 2007 issue. She was a jury member for the 2008 Final of the Mr. India contest.{{cite web |title=Mr. India World 2008 Finale |author=Kkomal Seth, Gautam Seth |work=SmashHits News |publisher=SmashHits |date=11 February 2008 |url=http://www.smashits.com/events/3030/1/Mr-India-World-2008-Finale.html |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223041253/http://www.smashits.com/events/3030/1/Mr-India-World-2008-Finale.html |archive-date=23 December 2008 }} Riya appeared in Haath Se Haath Mila, an HIV/AIDS awareness music video.{{cite news |title=Joining hands to spread AIDS awareness on television |date=25 July 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/25/stories/2006072512960200.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208182420/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/25/stories/2006072512960200.htm |archive-date=8 February 2008 |work=The Hindu }}{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Anuj |title=Simply incredible |date=7 July 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/07/07/stories/2006070701340400.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018161350/http://hindu.com/fr/2006/07/07/stories/2006070701340400.htm |archive-date=18 October 2007 |work=The Hindu }} She made charity appearances at McDonald's India to raise money for paediatric eye-care during World Children's Week (14–20 November) in 2003{{cite news |last=Bhatia |first=Ravi |title=Effective interventions needed to check neonatal deaths |publisher=Tribune India |date=3 November 2003 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031123/ncr3.htm |access-date=31 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809180210/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031123/ncr3.htm |archive-date=9 August 2007 }} and also for underprivileged children during the Corona virus pandemic in 2020.{{cite web |title=CRY - Child Rights and You |url=https://www.facebook.com/CRYINDIA/posts/join-riya-sen-dev-varma-and-anant-vidhaat-live-as-they-take-a-trip-down-the-memo/10157022137831949/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/33497111948/10157022137831949 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|website=www.facebook.com |access-date=23 July 2020 |language=en}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |title=Crowdfunding Platform Websites in India |url=https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/riyasenforcryindia |website=Ketto.org |access-date=23 July 2020 |language=en |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724054019/https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/riyasenforcryindia |url-status=live }} In 2025, she bought the badminton franchise Racket Raiders team which plays in the Yuva National Badminton League.{{Cite web |title=Yuva Badminton League unveils team's official jersey, trophy for inaugural season |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/others/yuva-badminton-league-unveils-teams-official-jersey-trophy-for-inaugural-season20250328205121/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=ANI News |language=en}}

{{BLP unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}

{{Portal|Bollywood}}

• List of Indian film actresses
• List of Bollywood Clans: The Sens

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{IMDb name|id=1116258|name=Riya Sen}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061121224017/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050131/asp/calcutta/story_4318546.asp Interview with Riya Sen] in The Telegraph
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080130131510/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070408/asp/7days/story_7619680.asp Riya and Raima compared] in The Telegraph
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081205133403/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=76067ef6-542b-40a1-924a-5c4d18ba2e36&&Headline=Star+daughters+on+their+moms Riya Sen on her mother] in Hindustan Times

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sen, Riya}}

Category:Indian film actresses

Category:Female models from Kolkata

Category:1981 births

Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema

Category:Living people

Category:Actresses from Kolkata

Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema

Category:University of Calcutta alumni

Category:20th-century Indian actresses

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Category:Actresses in Bengali cinema

Category:Actresses from Tripura

Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema

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Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema

Category:Bengali actresses

Category:Tripuri actors