Mumbai witnessed a glamorous gathering of Bollywood celebrities as the cast and creators of Student of the Year: After Dark came together for a special preview screening and promotional celebration at Lightbox. Held ahead of the series premiere on November 13, 2026, the event brought together lead actress Shanaya Kapoor, her co-stars, filmmaker Karan Johar and several industry guests. The evening marked an important moment for the new series, which takes the familiar Student of the Year universe in a much darker direction.
Shanaya Kapoor was at the centre of the celebrations as she prepares to make her OTT debut with the six-episode mystery thriller. The actress takes on the challenging role of twin sisters Aditi and Ayesha, two characters whose lives are connected by a shocking mystery. She was joined by co-stars Divik Sharma, Manya Grover and Adi Malik, while other cast members, including Abhinav Singh and Deeya Damini, are also part of the series. The screening offered the team an opportunity to celebrate their work before viewers got access to the complete story.
Producer Karan Johar attended the event alongside director Reema Maya, also known as Reema Sengupta. Backed by Dharmatic Entertainment, the project adds a fresh chapter to the popular franchise that began with the 2012 film Student of the Year. Rather than simply repeating the familiar formula of campus romance, friendship and competition, the new series explores a more unsettling side of student life. Its arrival also comes as the franchise marks another milestone in its journey across films and streaming entertainment.
The story unfolds at the prestigious St. Teresa's, where a shocking death turns the school into the setting for a gripping murder mystery. Ayesha, the popular star student and campus queen bee, is found dead in a frozen lake. Her estranged twin sister Aditi then assumes her identity and enters the school, determined to uncover the truth behind her sister's death. However, her investigation takes her into a dangerous world of hidden rivalries, secrets and an underground competition where ambition can have serious consequences.
With its psychological thriller elements and darker storytelling, Student of the Year: After Dark offers a noticeable departure from the glossy world associated with the original films. Reema Maya directs the series, while Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta serve as producers. The combination of a familiar franchise, a murder investigation and Shanaya Kapoor's double role gives the show a distinct identity. It also creates an opportunity for the young cast to explore characters dealing with much more than ordinary school rivalries.
All six episodes of Student of the Year: After Dark premiered on JioHotstar on November 13, 2026. The series invites viewers back to St. Teresa's, but this time the familiar campus setting hides a far more sinister story. With Shanaya Kapoor making her streaming debut and the creative team giving the franchise a thriller makeover, the show is looking to attract both longtime fans and audiences interested in mystery-driven dramas.