We have watched both Student of the Year—directed by Karan Johar—and its sequel, Student of the Year 2, produced by Karan Johar. Both films were glossy, entertaining campus dramas. The latest offering on JioHotstar, Student of the Year: After Dark, follows a similar vein, but this time, it transforms the glossy campus franchise into a high-stakes, thrilling youth drama infused with crime. The question, however, is whether this blend of campus drama and crime thriller works well, and whether this series—starring Shanaya Kapoor—is worth watching. Let’s decode.

Director: Reema Maya (Reema Sengupta)
Cast: Shanaya Kapoor, Divik Sharma, Manya Grover, Mannat Duggal, Deeya Damini, Sheeba Chaddha, Adi Malik, Abhinav Singh
Streaming Platform: JioHotstar
Episodes: 6
Rating: 3.5 / 5

A Dark New Campus Competition Plotline

Set at an elite institution, St. Teresa’s College, the story begins when Aayesha Malik (Shanaya Kapoor)—the glamorous “queen bee” of the campus—is found dead, having drowned in a frozen lake.

Then enter Aditi Malik (Shanaya Kapoor), Ayesha’s twin sister. Although the two had been out of touch for some time, Aditi is devastated by the loss. Yet, rather than simply succumbing to grief, she becomes suspicious about the circumstances of her sister’s death, coming to believe that it was not an accident, but a murder.

Determined to uncover the truth, Aditi enrolls at the same school. In her quest to solve the mystery, she discovers the school’s intense “Student of the Year” competition. As Aditi digs deeper, she uncovers a series of shocking, dangerous secrets and a sinister game at play. What happens next is something you must experience for yourself.

Direction

Reema Maya (Reema Sengupta) does an excellent job directing Student of the Year: After Dark. She skillfully weaves a murder mystery into the competitive backdrop of St. Teresa’s, giving both the rivalry and the crime investigation room to breathe.

The story stays engaging throughout,

raises intriguing questions and answering them successfully.

The six-episode series moves at a brisk pace and establishes the central conflict within the opening minutes. While the pacing dips slightly in the middle episodes, the screenplay raises intriguing questions and delivers satisfying answers. However, the narrative could have spent more time exploring Aditi's emotional grief before jumping straight into her investigation.

Sharp dialogues elevate the twists and turns. Meanwhile, the moody background score, sleek styling, and atmospheric campus cinematography complement the high-stakes thriller tone.

Performances

Shanaya Kapoor is the heart and soul of this series. The actress plays a dual role—Aayesha and Aditi—and portrays both characters exceptionally well. She impresses from the first few minutes, with acting that keeps you watching. She skillfully balances Aayesha's glamorous, vibrant energy with Aditi's intense, fierce nature.

Divik Sharma adds depth to the storyline with his character. Manya Grover holds attention with his impressive performance, strengthening the ensemble cast. Supporting actors Mannat Duggal, Deeya Damini, Sheeba Chaddha, Adi Malik, and Abhinav Singh further elevate the ensemble cast.

Verdict

Produced by Karan Johar's Dharmatic Entertainment, Student of the Year: After Dark is a gripping watch, especially for fans of campus thrillers, murder mysteries, and the Student of the Year universe.