When you hear the name Student Of The Year, you probably picture rich students, loud music, dance numbers, and a lot of drama over popularity. The first film came out in 2012 and introduced Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra. The sequel later gave Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria their start. Now the brand is back with a big twist. It is turning into a murder mystery, and the trailer for the new JioHotstar series, Student Of The Year: After Dark, has just dropped.
What is the story?
The series goes back to the same grounds of St. Teresa’s, but the mood is completely different. The trailer begins with Aayesha Malik, a student at the college, who is brutally murdered. Her twin sister, played by Shanaya Kapoor, decides to find out what really happened. She joins the college herself and starts digging.
As she looks around, the trailer introduces the people who could be responsible. There is the best friend, a jealous roommate, a rejected ex, and a boyfriend who seems too good to be true. Each of them gets a quick moment, and each one looks suspicious enough to keep you guessing.
The competition is still here
It would not feel like Student Of The Year without the famous contest. In this version, though, the competition is a secret one, and the trailer hints that it becomes more intense every year. It is so serious that people are ready to go to extremes.
That gives the story a second layer, because Shanaya’s character does not just have to solve a murder. She also gets pulled into the pressure of the contest, which could make things more dangerous for her.
Shanaya Kapoor in a new space
Shanaya has been picking some interesting projects lately. Earlier this year she starred in the survival thriller Tu Yaa Main, opposite Adarsh Gourav, and it was directed by Bejoy Nambiar. This series looks like another change of pace, and from the first glimpses, she seems to fit comfortably into the world. As the franchise usually does, the series also brings in fresh faces alongside her.
Who is behind it?
The series is backed by Dharma Productions and directed by Reema Maya. It will stream on JioHotstar from November 13.
A dark mood across new releases
This is not the only story turning dark this season. If you like stories about people who fall from grace, our piece on the Pratap trailer asks whether Amit Sadh’s tale of a cop turned prisoner is too familiar.
And if you like rivalries with high stakes, the Akka trailer shows two women with heavy gold, sharp knives, and a deadly battle for power.
Something lighter to balance it out
If murder mysteries are not your only taste, there is a much lighter option too. Our review of the Meethe Mein Kya Hai trailer looks at a Diwali reunion with too many relatives and plenty of family drama.
Should you wait for it?
If you grew up watching the films, this is a very different take, and that could be a good thing. The glossy campus look stays, but the story moves from romance and rivalry to secrets and suspicion. The setup is simple and clear, and the list of suspects gives you plenty to guess about.
It is too early to say how well the mystery will hold together. But for a franchise that built its name on fun and fashion, going dark is a bold move, and it might be just what keeps it fresh.
Student Of The Year: After Dark streams on JioHotstar from November 13.