Riya Sen on young actors like Ananya Panday taking on web series: 'Today, talent is what matters, regardless of age' - Exclusive

Riya Sen recently made a cameo in Ananya Panday's 'Call Me Bae', and while her role was small, the experience left a lasting impression. "In Call Me Bae, I had a very tiny cameo—just one or two scenes. But the experience was fantastic. The treatment on set was amazing, and working with Dharma Productions was on another level. Everyone, no matter the size of their role, was treated equally and with respect.That’s something I will always take with me. Even though my role was small, the people I met became friends for life," she shared.
Reflecting on the growing trend of younger actors like Ananya Panday taking on web series, Riya spoke about how the acting profession has evolved. “I don’t think it’s about being younger or older anymore. Today, talent is what matters, regardless of age. Older actors are doing incredible work, and there’s no longer a competition based on age. Roles are now made to fit personalities and, in some cases, age. That's a big change in the industry. It’s similar to Hollywood, where age doesn’t limit an actor’s opportunities anymore. I think it’s fantastic that people who might not have had great opportunities before are now doing some of their best work.”

When asked specifically about Ananya Panday, a younger actor, taking on a web series early in her career, Riya explained how this reflects a shift in mindset for newer actors. “I wasn’t referring to age,” Riya clarified. “At such an early stage in her career, Ananya doing a web series is quite bold. Usually, newer actors tend to stick to the big screen to play it safe. It’s refreshing to see someone like Ananya experiment with different formats so early on.”

Riya also discussed her personal view on the emergence of web series in India, saying, “For me, even before the web series market exploded here, I always knew it was coming. I have been waiting for this moment. I love watching TV series because they feel more realistic and internationally oriented. Personally, I am extremely happy being part of TV series and could easily do just that, without missing out on films.”