Meet actor who belongs to affluent family, worked in notable movies but disappeared from Bollywood after MMS controversy and is now a certified Yoga Teacher

In 1991, she first appeared on the Bollywood scene as a child artist with the film Vishkanya. Eight years later, she stepped into the limelight once more as the lead actress in Taj Mahal (1999), followed by Style (2001) which further boosted her popularity. Over the subsequent years, she continued to gain momentum in films such as Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Qayamat, and Jhankaar Beats.

Besides her acting career, she also has a notable collection of music videos under her belt, such as Falguni Pathak’s “Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi,” followed by Asha Bhosle’s “Jhumka Gira Re,” Jagjit Singh and Bhosle’s “Jab Samne Tum” and “Kahin Kahin Se,” and Sonu Nigam’s “Jeena Hai Tere Liye,” among others.

Over the years, she’s represented various prominent magazines, strutted her stuff on high-profile fashion runways, and appeared in advertisements for top-tier brands.

As a devoted fan following Riya Sen’s career journey, I must say that her professional strides were progressing admirably until an unexpected setback emerged, leading to a storm of controversy. In the year 2005, an explicit video featuring Riya and her then-partner, actor Ashmit Patel, was inadvertently released online. This MMS video sparked widespread outrage, compelling both parties to pursue legal action. The relationship between them eventually dissolved, and Riya publicly accused Ashmit of being responsible for the leak. Eventually, the matter was resolved privately.

The dispute led to unfavorable media attention for her. Although she continued acting in films afterward, she failed to regain the peak of her career. Despite starring in numerous popular movies such as Apna Sapna Money and Love Khichdi, Riya temporarily stepped away from Bollywood.

In an interview with PTI back in 2020, the actress shared her thoughts about her past decision. As she looked back, she admitted that maintaining a glamorous image had become progressively challenging for her. She mentioned that she was quite young when she joined Bollywood and reminisced about the times when she played roles requiring her to wear mini skirts, run around, and act in a cutesy manner. These scenes, as she watched them, didn’t resonate with her anymore.

She expressed feeling extremely uneasy and uncomfortable, not her usual self. The daily routine of having her hair styled for hours, wearing heavy makeup, and being on set just didn’t appeal to her. So, she made a deliberate choice to step away from Bollywood films at that point in time. Interestingly, what seemed like a loss for the Bollywood industry turned out to be a beneficial shift for Bengali cinema instead.

In August 2017, the actress wed Shivam Tewari at a private Bengali Hindu ceremony. Moreover, she is now a fully-fledged Yoga instructor. She announced this news on her social media platforms with the post: “Delighted to be a Certified Yoga Instructor, embarking on this journey with mindfulness and happiness,” which she shared in November 2023.

Beyond Bollywood films, Riya Sen has also acted in various regional cinemas such as Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam movies. Her latest appearance was in the third season of Bekaaboo on ALTT Balaji.