Riya Sen (Riyaa Senn): Biography, Family, Career, Movies, Instagram & Net Worth
| Full Name | Riyaa Senn Dev Varma (born Riya Sen) |
| Born | 24 January 1981, Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Age | 45 years (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actress, Model, DJ, Certified Yoga Trainer |
| Spouse | Shivam Tewari (m. 2017) |
| Sister | Raima Sen (actress) |
| Mother | Moon Moon Sen (actress, former MP) |
| Grandmother | Suchitra Sen (legendary Bengali actress) |
| @riyasendv (1.7M followers) | |
| Net Worth | Estimated \u20b915–20 Crore (approx. $2M) |
Riya Sen — now professionally known as Riyaa Senn — is an Indian actress, model, and DJ who has worked across Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Odia, and English-language cinema. She comes from one of India’s most illustrious film families, tracing her lineage to both Bengali cinema royalty and the royal family of Tripura.
In recent years, Riyaa has reinvented herself as a DJ and event performer, frequently appearing at clubs and music festivals across India while continuing selective acting projects.
Family and Royal Ancestry
Riya Sen was born on 24 January 1981 in Kolkata, West Bengal. She is the daughter of Moon Moon Sen (a former actress and Trinamool Congress MP from Bankura) and Bharat Dev Varma, who belonged to the royal family of Tripura. Her father was the son of Ila Devi, the princess of Cooch Behar, and nephew of the legendary Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur.
Her maternal grandmother, Suchitra Sen, is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Bengali cinema history. Her sister Raima Sen is also a successful actress and model. Both Riya and Raima use the surname “Sen” from their grandmother rather than their father’s surname.
Related: Ananya Panday HD Wallpapers — another popular Bollywood celebrity gallery.
Early Life and Education
Riya completed her schooling at Loreto House and Raipur Birla Girls’ College in Kolkata. She later studied at the National Institute of Fashion Technology and developed an interest in jewellery design as a hobby.
She is a trained Kathak dancer, having studied under Vijayshri Chaudhary, and has completed Level 1 of belly dancing. From early childhood, Riya was drawn to the world of media and entertainment.
Career
Early Career and Modelling (1991–1999)
Riya Sen entered the film industry as a child artist in 1991 with the Hindi movie Vishkanya. She gained widespread recognition as a model at the age of 17 through her appearance in Falguni Pathak’s iconic music video Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi (1998), which became a massive hit.
She subsequently appeared in numerous music videos, fashion shows, TV commercials, and magazine covers. Her acting debut in a lead role came with the Tamil film Taj Mahal (1999).
Bollywood Career (2001–2007)
Her first commercially successful Bollywood movie was Style (2001), a low-budget comedy directed by N. Chandra. The same year she appeared in Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar. Her other notable Bollywood films include Jhankar Beats (2003) and Shaadi No. 1 (2005).
In 2005, she played a significant role in the English film It Was Raining That Night alongside Sushmita Sen. In 2007, she starred in the Telugu film Nenu Meeku Telusa, receiving positive reviews for her performance.
Later Work and Digital Content (2013–Present)
Riya appeared in the Bengali film Hero 420 with Nusrat Faria and Om, which received positive audience reviews. She also starred in the Odia movie My Love Story (2013).
In the digital space, she appeared in MX Player’s Pati Patni Aur Woh and the web series Ragini MMS: Returns (2017) as Simran. She played Radhika Kapoor in the short film Lonely Girl (2017). She also appeared in the Malayalam horror film Ananthabhadram 2.
She eventually stepped back from mainstream Hindi films, stating that she felt uncomfortable with being excessively sexualised in music videos and movies.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Language | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Vishkanya | Hindi | Child artist debut |
| 1999 | Taj Mahal | Tamil | Lead role debut |
| 2001 | Style | Hindi | First commercial hit |
| 2001 | Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar | Hindi | — |
| 2001 | Mone Pore Tomake | Bangladeshi | With ATM Shamsuzzaman, Riaz |
| 2003 | Jhankar Beats | Hindi | Critically acclaimed |
| 2005 | Shaadi No. 1 | Hindi | — |
| 2005 | Silsilay | Hindi | With Ashmit Patel |
| 2005 | It Was Raining That Night | English | With Sushmita Sen |
| 2007 | Nenu Meeku Telusa | Telugu | — |
| 2012 | Noukadubi | Bengali | Star Guild Best Actress Award |
| 2013 | My Love Story | Odia | — |
| 2016 | Hero 420 | Bengali | With Nusrat Faria, Om |
| 2017 | Ragini MMS: Returns | Hindi (Web) | As Simran |
Boyfriends, Affairs and Marriage
Riya Sen has been linked with several high-profile personalities over the years. She was rumoured to have dated Bollywood actors Ashmit Patel and John Abraham, novelist Salman Rushdie, and cricketers Javagal Srinath and Yuvraj Singh.
On 16 August 2017, Riya married her boyfriend Shivam Tewari (referred to in some sources as Shubham Tiwari) in a private ceremony in Kolkata. After a few years of marriage, the couple has been living separately, though no official divorce has been announced.
Controversies
In the mid-2000s, a 90-second video clip allegedly showing Riya Sen and her then-boyfriend Ashmit Patel in a compromising situation was leaked on the internet. The incident drew massive media attention and led to the couple’s breakup. Riya denied that she was the person in the video.
It was also reported that she underwent a brief rehabilitation programme in Bangkok.
Lesser-Known Facts About Riya Sen
- She appeared in an AIDS awareness music video to help dispel popular myths about the disease.
- She is a philanthropist who helps raise funds for underprivileged children and paediatric eye care.
- She was the only woman to be featured on the Kingfisher calendar for five consecutive years (2003–2007).
- She received the Star Guild Bengali Film Award for Best Actress in 2012 for her role in Noukadubi.
- She was ranked 9th on Femina’s 50 Most Beautiful Women list (September 2007).
- She was a jury member for the Mr India contest in 2008.
- She is a certified yoga trainer and instructor.
- She is an avid dog lover.
- She has modelled for fashion designers including Manish Malhotra, Neeta Lulla, Ritu Kumar, Aparna Vohra, and JJ Valaya.
- She has appeared on magazine covers including T3 Stylespeak, Enlighten India, and others.
- During the shoot of Shaadi No. 1, she was knocked unconscious when a stuntman’s motorbike accidentally ran over her foot. She fortunately escaped serious injury.
- In 2026, she is active as a DJ and event performer, regularly playing at clubs, music festivals, and private events across India.
For more celebrity content, check out our Ananya Panday Wallpapers gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Riya Sen’s real name?
Riya Sen’s birth name is Riya Sen. She now professionally goes by Riyaa Senn and her full married name is Riyaa Senn Dev Varma.
Who is Riya Sen’s mother?
Her mother is Moon Moon Sen, a former Bollywood actress and Trinamool Congress MP from Bankura, West Bengal.
Is Riya Sen married?
Yes, Riya Sen married Shivam Tewari on 16 August 2017 in a private ceremony in Kolkata. The couple has been living separately in recent years.
What is Riya Sen’s Instagram handle?
Her official verified Instagram account is @riyasendv with over 1.7 million followers.
What is Riya Sen’s net worth?
Riya Sen’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹15–20 Crore (around $2 million USD), earned through her acting career, modelling assignments, brand endorsements, and DJ performances.
What is Riya Sen doing now in 2026?
As of 2026, Riyaa Senn is active as a DJ and event performer, frequently playing at clubs and festivals. She continues selective acting projects and maintains an active social media presence on Instagram.