Student of the Year: After Dark Review- Shanaya Kapoor Anchors this Series With Confidence and Conviction
Web Series: Student of the Year: After Dark
Director: Reema Maya
Star Cast: Shanaya Kapoor, Divik Sharma, Abhinav Singh, Manya Grover, Deeya Damini
OTT: JioHotstar
Episodes: Six
Producer: Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta
Banner: Dharmatic Entertainment
Ratings: 4/5
The halls of St. Teresa’s have taken a decidedly sinister turn. Streaming on JioHotstar, the six-episode series Student of the Year: After Dark ditches the franchise’s signature lighthearted rivalries and glossy romance in favor of a gripping murder mystery. Helmed by director Reema Maya and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment under the backing of Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta—this spin-off transforms familiar campus tropes into a tense, noir-inspired whodunit.
Story
The story centers on Aditi Malik (Shanaya Kapoor), a grieving young woman determined to unravel the circumstances behind the sudden death of her twin sister, Aayesha. As one of St. Teresa’s most popular students, Aayesha’s passing leaves behind a trail of secrets pointing directly toward her inner circle.
Aditi’s search for answers soon exposes a secretive, high-stakes campus competition directly linked to the tragedy. Moving beyond a standard investigative formula, the writing thoughtfully unpacks the toxic social hierarchies, buried resentments, and hidden agendas lurking beneath elite student life.
Lead Role
Stepping into a challenging double role, Shanaya Kapoor anchors the series with impressive composure and emotional depth. She portrays Aditi with a compelling mix of raw vulnerability and fierce determination as she navigates her loss. Simultaneously, she brings a sharp, contrasting presence to Aayesha, giving the twins distinct personalities that keep the audience fully invested in both arcs. Kapoor’s grounded, assured performance serves as the show’s strongest asset.
Direction, Music and Supporting Cast
Director Reema Maya builds an immersive, brooding atmosphere, combining slick visual aesthetics with an escalating sense of dread. The haunting background score from Night Song and Shalom Benjamin effectively sustains the suspense across episodes. Meanwhile, a solid supporting cast featuring Divik Sharma, Abhinav Singh, Manya Grover, Deeya Damini, and Adi Malik adds authentic weight and suspicion to the ensemble.
While the mystery remains engaging throughout, a few middle episodes feel slightly overextended. A brisker edit in certain stretches would have made the narrative even sharper, though these brief lulls rarely break the show’s overall momentum.
Final Verdict
Student of the Year: After Dark successfully reinvents its parent franchise by pairing slick thriller elements with a heartfelt meditation on grief, identity, and deception. Elevated by moody direction and a standout dual performance from Shanaya Kapoor, it delivers a taut, binge-worthy watch.
