Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday shared a proud moment with the state, posting a clip from The Family Man Season 3 featuring actors Jaideep Ahlawat and young Arunachali actor Riyan Mipi. In the new season of the popular series, Riyan plays Bobby, the son of Nima (portrayed by Carol Andrea Kevichusa).
Sharing the video on his official X handle, the Chief Minister congratulated the young actor and lauded his breakthrough on a national platform. “Excited to see our Arunachali little star Riyan Mipi cast in the popular web series The Family Man – Season 3. A child from the beautiful Dibang Valley making his mark on one of the biggest national platforms — this is a proud moment for all of us. Keep shining, Riyan; you are inspiring thousands of young dreamers across Arunachal and the Northeast,” he wrote.
Only 9 years old, Riyan Mipi hails from Brango village in the remote Dibang Valley district, home to the Mishmi community. With The Family Man 3, he becomes the first child actor from his community to gain national visibility. Despite having no formal background in acting, Riyan underwent a 15-day acting workshop in Mumbai under coach Harry Parmar, which prepared him for the role of Bobby. The casting team had specifically been searching for a child actor fluent in Hindi — a requirement Riyan fulfilled naturally.
While acting is new to him, Riyan’s artistic journey began with dance. He started attending professional dance classes at the age of six, encouraged by his dance mentor Suraj Nath, who had visited to conduct a workshop. His father, a government school teacher, further supported his passion by taking him to Guwahati for two months of training at a dance academy during the school holidays. Numerous dance workshops followed, paving the way for his exposure to opportunities in Mumbai.
Riyan’s talent soon brought him to national reality shows. He gained recognition after reaching the TV round of India’s Got Talent in 2023, and later securing a spot among the top 15 contestants on Dance Deewane Season 4 in early 2024. For the past one-and-a-half years, Riyan has been living in Mumbai with his mother, Kandili Elapra, who left her clothing shop in Arunachal to support his dream. His younger brother stays in Arunachal with their father. Both parents now manage their children separately — a sacrifice they say is difficult but necessary. “It is not easy, but we are doing it because this is what our child wants,” his mother shared, expressing gratitude for her husband’s constant support.
After his web-series debut, Riyan’s film career is also gaining momentum. He will soon be seen in Yash Raj Films’ Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Hrithik Roshan, scheduled for release in April 2026. He has also been cast as the lead protagonist in Rotten Apple, a Bollywood film directed by Shakti Sagar Chopra and slated for release in 2026. The story of the movie revolves entirely around his character — a major milestone for a child actor. Despite his growing fame, Riyan remains humble and focused. Speaking about his ambitions, he said he hopes to open a dance academy when he grows up.
