'Polite Society' star Ritu Arya on auditioning for multiple 'Barbie' roles, the end of 'Umbrella Academy,' and kicking her on-screen sister through a door

• Ritu Arya stars in the new action movie "Polite Society," which is in theaters now.
• Arya, who also plays Lila in "The Umbrella Academy," is "heartbroken" the Netflix show is ending.

British rising star Ritu Arya has a busy year ahead of her.

The actor is currently filming the final season of "Umbrella Academy," the hit Netflix show that brought her to international attention as time-traveling assassin Lila Pitts. And this summer, she will appear in one of the most anticipated movies of the year, "Barbie."

But first, Arya takes on a lead role in the action comedy "Polite Society," which hits theaters on Friday.

In the movie, Arya plays Lena, a struggling artist who decides to give up on her dreams and marry a man (Akshay Khanna) who seems too good to be true. But Lena's younger sister Ria (Priya Kansara), a martial artist, plans to crash the wedding and save her sibling from a life she does not want.

Fusing martial arts and saris, "Polite Society" is one of the few movies released this year to feature all-South Asian lead actors and is already impressing critics with a 91% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Here, Arya speaks to Insider about "Polite Society," her thoughts on "Umbrella Academy" ending, and how she would up working alongside Margot Robbie in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie."

What is great about the film is the sibling bond between Ria and Lena, even when they are fighting. Did you draw on any of your own sibling relationships to prepare for the role?

I have two brothers, one younger and one older. So, no matter what, I definitely know what it's like to have sibling rivalry and just unconditional love as well.

I have this responsibility as an older sister — and actually as a younger sister, too — but sometimes it can feel a little bit of a burden when I feel like I always want to show that I'm doing well. And if I'm not, then there's sort of this shame because I want him to look up to me as this great role model. I think that's also a really interesting thing that I felt with the film as well.

The fight scenes in the movie are epic. I heard that you were able to bring some moves over from "The Umbrella Academy." Have you adopted a favorite fight move from either project?

I quite like things being really detailed and specific and technical, which wasn't really so much Lena's style of fighting. They kind of wanted her to be more of like a Terminator — a bit more gritty and just headbutts and kicks, and just driven. There's one move where I kick Ria through the door and they had her on a wire and she just goes so far, and it made me feel very strong. That was really cool.

I bet you felt powerful! Were there any scenes that you felt were really difficult?

During that fight scene at the end, Lena says she's not good enough. That's a hard line to say because it's sort of taken from the truth and it's vulnerable. And so, that was a challenge — allowing myself to feel that.

In the wedding scene, there are so many beautiful outfits. Do you have a favorite costume from this movie?

100% the first costume. I'm in a massive hoodie and Mickey Mouse pajamas and it was so comfortable. I mean, the wedding dress is beautiful but an absolute pain, and it weighed so much. It looks really nice, but give me a hoodie any day and I'm very happy.

You've just started filming the final season of "The Umbrella Academy." How do you feel about saying goodbye to your character, Lila, and the cast?

I am heartbroken that it's ending. I'm not ready for it. I'm absolutely loving filming it this season. We are over halfway through filming and it sort of hit me yesterday. I was moping around being like, 'I just, I don't want it to end.' It's the best season yet in my opinion. So, I don't want to say bye to Lila, but everything good comes to an end. And new beginnings.

A lot of fans love Lila's relationship with Diego (David Casteñada) in the series. Do you think there's a chance of a spinoff exploring where that story goes?

No, I don't. I have no idea how these things work.

You're also starring in the "Barbie" movie this summer as journalist Barbie. What was it like auditioning and getting cast in the movie?

It was pretty wild. I think Greta Gerwig is one of my favorite directors, so it was a dream come true. I absolutely loved working with her. I'm pinching myself to get to work with her and Margot Robbie, and I'm just really excited to see what the film turns out to be. It was such a surreal experience and I would just work with her again at the drop of a hat.

I did a self-tape for a role, and then I didn't get that. And then they offered a different role later on, so I thought I wasn't gonna be a part of it. It was amazing when the offer came through weeks later, or a month later. You just never know what's gonna happen.

"Polite Society" is in theaters now.