Ritika Nayak (born 27 October 1997) is an Indian actress and model, predominantly working in the Telugu film industry (Tollywood). She rose to prominence after her debut in Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam (2022), and has since performed roles in Hi Nanna (2023) and Mirai (2025).
Early Life & Background
- Date of Birth: 27 October 1997 (Wikipedia)
- Place of Birth & Family: She was born in Delhi, India into a middle-class Odia (which means from Odisha) family. (The Times of India)
- Schooling & Early Education: She completed her schooling at Delhi Police Public School, Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi. (Wikipedia)
- College / Higher Education: She attended university in Delhi (Delhi University). Some sources mention that she pursued a Master’s degree. (PINKVILLA)
Modelling & Entry into Films
- In 2019, while still a student, Ritika won the 12th season of Delhi Times’ Fresh Face competition. (Wikipedia)
- She also was a finalist in Miss Diva 2020. (The Economic Times)
- These early modeling and contest wins opened up opportunities for auditions and screen tests. Her interest in films and acting grew from there. (The Times of India)
Acting Career
Debut and Early Roles
- Her film acting debut was in Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam (2022), in which she played Vasudha. Her performance was well received and she earned a SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) nomination for Best Female Debut – Telugu. (Wikipedia)
- In Hi Nanna (2023), she played the grown-up Mahi. Initially approached for a “younger sister” role, she declined it to avoid typecasting, and later accepted the role of grown-up Mahi. (The Times of India)
Breakthrough & Recent Work
- Mirai (2025) is one of her significant recent films. She plays the character Vibha in Mirai, a fantasy action-adventure film directed by Karthik Gattamneni. Her performance in Mirai has garnered attention from both critics and audiences. (Moneycontrol)
- She has upcoming / in-pipeline projects such as Duet (with Anand Devarakonda) and VT15, an Indo-Korean horror comedy. (The Times of India)
Personal Traits, Skills & Motivations
- Ritika has spoken in interviews about being an extrovert in her school years, participating in co-curricular activities such as dancing and school plays. (OTTPlay)
- She was once criticized in school for her English pronunciation and vocabulary; this became a motivator for her to improve her language skills by reading books, watching English/Hollywood films etc. (The Economic Times)
- She aspires to take roles that push her emotionally and artistically rather than being confined to stereotypical supporting “sister” roles. (The Times of India)
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam | Vasudha | Debut; SIIMA nomination for Best Female Debut – Telugu (Wikipedia) |
| 2023 | Hi Nanna | Grown up Mahi | Cameo / supporting role (Wikipedia) |
| 2025 | Mirai | Vibha | Female lead in a fantasy action drama (Moneycontrol) |
| Upcoming | Duet | — | Film in production / pre-release status (The Times of India) |
| Upcoming | VT15 | — | Indo-Korean horror comedy in the pipeline (The Times of India) |
Recognition & Public Reception
- Her debut in Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam was appreciated, and the nomination for Best Female Debut at SIIMA established her as a promising newcomer. (Wikipedia)
- Mirai has significantly increased her visibility. Critics and viewers have noted her screen presence and performance in this film, which is raising expectations around her future choices. (Moneycontrol)
Personal Life
- She comes from a non-filmi background (i.e. no family ties in the film industry). (The Times of India)
- Family: Her parents support her career (though names / more details are less publicly documented in reliable sources). (The Times of India)
Significance & Impact
- Ritika Nayak’s career is often discussed as inspiring to newcomers because she entered cinema without industry connections, coming from a modelling background, and through winning contests. (The Times of India)
- She is making her presence felt by choosing roles that have emotional depth and resisting being typecast early in her career. (The Times of India)
- Mirai especially gives her a platform to reach wider audiences and demonstrate versatility. (Moneycontrol)
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Last Updated on Monday, September 15, 2025 1:07 am by Admin
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