Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently celebrated the achievement of young actor Riyan Mipi by sharing a clip from The Family Man Season 3 on social media. Riyan, a nine-year-old from Brango village in the Dibang Valley district, plays Bobby, the son of a character portrayed by Carol Andrea Kevichusa. Khandu praised Riyan’s breakthrough on a national platform, highlighting the significance of the representation for the Mishmi community and the pride it brings to the state.
Riyan, who has no formal acting background, prepared for his role after a 15-day workshop in Mumbai. His fluency in Hindi made him a suitable candidate for the casting team. His artistic journey began with dance at the age of six, inspired by mentor Suraj Nath and supported by his father, a government school teacher. This early exposure led him to national recognition, including a spot on India’s Got Talent in 2023 and being a top 15 contestant on Dance Deewane Season 4.
For the last year and a half, Riyan has resided in Mumbai with his mother, Kandili Elapra, who has left her clothing business to support his ambitions, while his younger brother remains in Arunachal with their father. The family makes significant sacrifices to help Riyan pursue his dreams, which they describe as challenging yet necessary.
Following his appearance in The Family Man, Riyan’s film career is also promising, with a role in Yash Raj Films’ Alpha, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Hrithik Roshan, expected to release in April 2026. Additionally, he will lead in the film Rotten Apple, directed by Shakti Sagar Chopra, marking a significant milestone in his young acting career. Despite rising fame, Riyan’s aspirations remain grounded, as he expresses a desire to establish a dance academy in the future.
