Ritu Arya awakens in her Budapest hotel room after a brief vacation. Despite the early hour, her trademark grin illuminates the laptop screen. The same mischievous smile that has captivated and unnerved audiences in ‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019-2024) and ‘Killing Eve’ (2023) foreshadows impending action. Arya possesses an undeniably striking presence with her raven hair, dark eyes, sharp nose, and signature bangs.
In Nida Manzoor’s 2018 short film ‘Black Mirror’, Arya portrays Saira Shah, a fierce and enigmatic punk band frontwoman. In contrast, her character in ‘Doctors’ (2013-2017) is a struggling artist who impulsively smashes her sister’s head into a photo frame to defend her love life. As the skilled assassin in ‘Red Notice’ (2022), Arya embodies a complex character with a mysterious past.
These roles share a distinct type of character, reminiscent of iconic tough female characters like Lara Croft and Sarah Connor. However, when asked to name a badass fictional character she admires, Arya surprisingly answers, ‘Simran from ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’.’ She explains, ‘Kajol is uninhibited, charismatic, and charming as a performer. Her characters have stood the test of time and are strong in their unique ways.’
Growing up in West Bromwich, Arya harbored a passion for writing and performing. Inspired by her cousins, she enrolled in drama classes but initially felt shy. Her A-level drama teacher encouraged her to pursue acting seriously. Despite her academic interests in physics and math, Arya completed her degree before pursuing drama school. She landed her first acting role in the British soap opera ‘Doctors’ (2013-2017).
In ‘The Umbrella Academy’, Arya’s character, Lila, delivers the memorable line, ‘You’re an open book written for very dumb children’ when rebuffed by Diego. Yet, in other scenes, she is a vulnerable young woman, pondering philosophical questions or demanding a ‘Superman promise’. These moments reveal Lila’s inner softness, but her unwavering resolve to face danger remains unyielding.
‘I believe being badass is about courage and authenticity,’ Arya asserts. ‘True vulnerability requires courage, and that’s why I’m drawn to characters seeking self-empowerment.’ Films like ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2023) and ‘RRR’ (2022) exemplify the self-empowerment Arya champions. By presenting alternate realities where female characters possess extraordinary martial arts skills, they provide a cathartic outlet for women’s pent-up frustrations.
Although she portrayed a Pulitzer-winning journalist in Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’, Arya’s real-life inspiration lies closer to home: her mother. ‘She had an arranged marriage and moved from Punjab to the UK in her twenties to be with my father,’ Arya shares. ‘She barely spoke English and didn’t know how to use cutlery.’ Like the tenacious characters Arya portrays, her mother quickly adapted and thrived in her new environment. ‘Her perseverance and courage, combined with her pure heart, have had a profound impact on me.’
Ritu Arya’s exceptional talent and dedication have propelled her to the forefront of the entertainment industry. Her ability to embody both vulnerability and strength empowers audiences and challenges traditional stereotypes. As she continues to grace screens worldwide, Arya’s impact as a British-Indian actress and an inspiration for women seeking self-empowerment is undeniable.
