Director: Reema Maya
Cast: Shanaya Kapoor, Divik Sharma, Abhinav Singh, Manya Grover, Deeya Damini, Adi Malik, Abhishekh Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, Khalid Siddiqui
Writer: Reema Maya, Debashish Irengbam
Rating: 3/5
Starring Shanaya Kapoor in the lead, Student of the Year: After Dark premiered on JioHotstar on November 13, 2026. Helmed, co-written, and co-created by Reema Maya, the six-episode series is a spin-off of the popular SOTY franchise. However, instead of revisiting the familiar college romance formula, the show takes a darker route with a mystery-driven thriller.
If you’re wondering whether the series deserves a spot on your watchlist, here’s our review.
The Plot
Student of the Year: After Dark revolves around Aditi Mallik, an 18-year-old who has struggled with depression since her early teens and shares a strained relationship with her twin sister, Aayesha. Her life takes a devastating turn when Aayesha dies in what appears to be a drowning accident in a frozen lake.
Unwilling to believe that her sister’s death was accidental, Aditi decides to investigate the circumstances surrounding it by enrolling at the same school. Her search for answers eventually draws her into an elite competition known as Student of the Year. The series explores whether she can uncover the truth behind Aayesha’s death and how the competition is connected to the mystery.
What Works in Student of the Year: After Dark
Student of the Year: After Dark brings a fresh perspective to the franchise by transforming its colourful campus setting into a stylish, dark mystery thriller with a distinctly Gen Z appeal.
The shift in storytelling is among the show’s biggest positives. Unlike the romance, glamour, and youthful energy of the earlier films, the series explores a much darker world where St. Teresa is filled with secrets, intense rivalries, and hidden agendas. Reema Maya’s direction gives the show a striking visual identity, supported by atmospheric cinematography, impressive production design, and gothic elements.
Shanaya Kapoor holds the narrative together with a confident performance in the dual roles of Aayesha and Aditi. She manages to portray the contrasting traits of the twins convincingly while adding an emotional layer to the story. The background score and experimental musical elements also contribute significantly to the suspenseful mood. Special appreciation goes to Chaar Diwari for adding an edgy musical touch.
The writing carries a strong Gen Z sensibility, while the fast-moving narrative ensures that the mystery rarely loses its momentum. Several sequences manage to hold the viewer’s attention, making the overall experience engaging. Although the mystery takes its time to unravel, the concluding episodes offer a rewarding payoff through an unexpected twist that brings the central storyline together.
What Doesn’t Work in Student of the Year: After Dark
Despite its appealing visual treatment and engaging narrative, Student of the Year: After Dark is not without its flaws. The show draws considerable inspiration from popular Western teen dramas and thrillers such as Elite and 13 Reasons Why, along with certain aspects of Squid Game. As a result, elements involving secret groups, blackmail, and campus politics occasionally feel predictable.
The supporting characters are another weak point, as several of them lack sufficient development and largely function as possible suspects in the unfolding mystery. At times, the screenplay also depends on convenient coincidences and implausible decisions by characters to advance the plot.
Additionally, the series introduces relevant subjects such as privilege, academic expectations, and grief but doesn’t delve into them as deeply as it could have. The emotional bond between the central character and her twin sister, especially, deserved more exploration. Consequently, some of the emotional motivations driving the story fail to create the intended impact.
As a result, while the series succeeds in maintaining suspense through its stylish presentation and engaging storytelling, it falls short of establishing stronger emotional connections with its characters.
The Performances
Shanaya Kapoor emerges as the standout performer, delivering a confident portrayal of both Aayesha and Aditi Malik. She creates a clear distinction between the twins through nuanced expressions, body language, and variations in her dialogue delivery. Her portrayal captures Aayesha’s charismatic nature while effectively bringing out Aditi’s reserved and emotionally troubled personality.
The supporting actors fit well into their respective parts, although some characters come across as rather one-dimensional because of limited writing. Manya Grover and Abhinav Singh display promise in a few important dramatic sequences, but their respective character journeys feel somewhat hurried. A possible second season could offer the supporting cast more opportunities to develop their characters.
The Verdict
Student of the Year: After Dark offers an interesting new direction for the franchise, backed by a dark visual atmosphere and brisk storytelling. Shanaya Kapoor’s impressive double performance adds considerable value to the series. However, familiar thriller elements, inadequately developed supporting characters, and a lack of emotional depth prevent it from reaching its full potential.
For viewers who enjoy short-format dramas and young-adult mystery thrillers, the series makes for an entertaining watch. Its stylish presentation and engaging climax help balance out some of its narrative shortcomings.
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