Student Of The Year: After Dark First Look Out, Shanaya Kapoor Makes OTT Debut With This Web Series

Student Of The Year: After Dark marks Shanaya Kapoor’s OTT debut as the popular Bollywood franchise returns with a darker twist. The series premieres on JioHotstar on November 13.

The glamorous world of ‘Student Of The Year’ is getting a dark makeover! Fourteen years after the original film introduced audiences to its stylish college setting, Karan Johar is bringing the franchise back in a new avatar with ‘Student Of The Year: After Dark’. The first look of the upcoming web series starring Shanaya Kapoor is now out, offering a glimpse into a world filled with mystery, danger and secrets.

‘Student Of The Year: After Dark’ Marks Shanaya Kapoor’s OTT Debut

The series marks Shanaya Kapoor’s OTT debut and will premiere exclusively on JioHotstar on November 13, 2026. Directed by Reema Maya and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, the show moves away from the romance and campus glamour associated with the earlier films to explore a darker, thriller-driven story.

Shanaya Kapoor’s First Look

The first look teaser opens with Shanaya Kapoor looking glamorous, with other college students seen in the background as the music of ‘Ishq Wala Love’ plays. However, the mood soon shifts as the visuals take a darker turn, showing the actor frozen and blood-stained, while the familiar track gives way to an eerie, haunting sound.

The makers have kept the plot under wraps, but the visuals suggest that this version of St. Theresa will be very different from the one audiences remember.

Karan Johar Promises ‘Absolute Madness’

Sharing the first look, Karan Johar wrote, “Nostalgia is working overtime this week!!! As we complete 14 years of our beloved SOTY franchise…we embark on a new journey taking it forward but it’s now in AFTER DARK! Gritty, gory, unabashed and absolute madness!!!! Gear up! Hotstar Specials: Student Of The Year – After Dark, streaming from 13th November, only on JioHotstar."

Shanaya Kapoor On Her OTT Debut

Shanaya has also spoken about playing a layered and flawed character, describing the role as a challenging experience that allowed her to move beyond familiar expectations. “Student Of The Year: After Dark Web Series for me is more than just a project, it’s a bold statement. Portraying this character in a contrasting manner is a deliberate choice to challenge expectations and redefine what audiences anticipate from mainstream storytelling. The role is layered, flawed, and unapologetically real. Stepping into her world has been the most challenging and a rewarding experience," she said.

Shanaya Kapoor To Have Double Role?

Karan Johar has also hinted at a double-role performance by Shanaya, making her part of the biggest talking points surrounding the series.

“When I look at this new chapter, I see a phoenix rising. We began this franchise with big dreams in 2012 and now we’re breaking every rule we set. With Reema’s genre-defying direction and Shanaya’s powerful double-role performance, we’re setting the stage for something spectacular. Shanaya isn’t just stepping into the spotlight, she’s shattering it and the first look is just the tip of the iceberg", said Karan Johar.

Student Of The Year Franchise

The original movie ‘Student Of The Year’, which released in 2012, starred Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra. Directed by Karan Johar, the film became known for its glossy campus setting, memorable soundtrack and love triangle.

Its sequel, Student Of The Year 2, arrived in 2019 with Tiger Shroff, Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria. The film continued the franchise’s focus on college life, relationships and competition.

With Student Of The Year: After Dark, the makers are taking a different route. Instead of another theatrical film, the franchise is expanding into the streaming space with a thriller competition series. The change in tone is one of the biggest departures from the earlier instalments.

Student Of The Year: After Dark Release Date And OTT Platform

Student Of The Year: After Dark will stream exclusively on JioHotstar from November 13, 2026. The series is directed by Reema Maya and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, with Karan Johar backing the project.

With Shanaya Kapoor making her OTT debut and the franchise entering darker territory, the series will offer viewers a very different take on the world of St. Theresa. More details about the storyline and the wider cast are awaited.