Can You Guess This Actress Who Worked in 4 Industries, Was Slated to Be the Next Star But One MMS Ruined Her Career!

The days when cinema was not seen as a ‘respectable’ profession are long gone. From an era when only courtesans would act in films to today, when even those from noble and royal families are part of the industry. One such actress became a big star after her initial films, only to have a sex video scandal derail her career.

A Star Born from a Royal and Filmy Legacy

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Riya Sen, the daughter of actress Moon Moon Sen and granddaughter of cinema legend Suchitra Sen, has a rich filmy heritage. On her father's side, she belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Tripura, with ties to the ruling families of Baroda and Jaipur. Riya made her debut as a lead actress in 1999 with "Taj Mahal" after working as a child artist in 1991. Her big break came with the 2001 sleeper hit "Style," which was followed by successful films like "Dil Vil Pyar Vyar," "Qayamat," and "Jhankaar Beats."

The Scandal That Shook Bollywood

In 2005, an obscene video of Riya and her then-boyfriend, actor Ashmit Patel, was leaked on the internet. The MMS video caused a huge scandal in Bollywood, forcing Riya and Ashmit to seek legal recourse. The actors eventually broke up, with Riya even accusing Ashmit of leaking the video himself. Although the case was later settled, the scandal had already damaged Riya’s career prospects. Already known for her bold on-screen image, the negative publicity further marred her reputation. Despite continuing to act, Riya never regained the heights of her early career.

A Career Across Multiple Industries

Riya participated in more than 15 films in the Telugu, Bengali, Hindi, and Odia industries between 2006 and 2013. None of these films, meanwhile, was particularly successful at the box office. Her last two major movies, Hero 420 and Dark Chocolate, were released in 2016. Riya hasn't signed any additional movie deals since then. Her long-delayed film "Love You Hamesha" was released in 2022, marking her final release.

Transition to the Digital Space

Adapting to the circumstances, in 2017 Riya made her OTT debut in "Ragini MMS Returns" with a cameo. Since then, she has made appearances in many web series, including "Poison," "Mismatch 2," and "Bekaboo," giving her a fresh venue to display her abilities.