Shanaya Kapoor on double role in Student Of The Year – After Dark
Synopsis
Shanaya Kapoor's OTT debut comes with an unusual degree of difficulty — a double role as twin sisters, demanding action choreography, and underwater sequences she admits pushed her past her limits. With 'Student Of The Year – After Dark' reimagining a beloved campus franchise as a murder mystery, the pressure to deliver is real, and Shanaya's candid behind-the-scenes note suggests she felt every bit of it.
Key Takeaways
Shanaya Kapoor makes her OTT debut in 'Student Of The Year – After Dark' , premiering on JioHotstar on 13 November 2026 .
She plays twin sisters Aayesha and Aditi Malik — a double role that she describes as a major early-career challenge.
The series, produced by Karan Johar and directed by Reema Sen , reimagines the 2012 campus-romance franchise as a gritty murder mystery.
Shanaya credits action director Vikram Dahiya and underwater team lead Sukesh Viswanath for guiding her through physically demanding sequences.
The actress shared an extended thank-you note on social media ahead of the show's launch, calling it 'made with a lot of sweat, blood, and tears.'
Actress Shanaya Kapoor has opened up about the challenges of portraying a double role early in her career, as her much-anticipated series 'Student Of The Year – After Dark' prepares to premiere on JioHotstar on 13 November 2026. The show marks her OTT debut, with Shanaya stepping into the shoes of twin sisters Aayesha and Aditi Malik.
A Demanding Double Role
Sharing a series of behind-the-scenes photographs on social media, Shanaya expressed gratitude toward filmmaker Karan Johar for entrusting her with a dual character so early in her career. She noted that the opportunity allowed her to showcase different facets of her acting range — a rare challenge for any performer, let alone one making her streaming debut.
'Thank you @karanjohar for giving me this opportunity to carry forward such a special special franchise and allowing me so early on in my career to play a double role that allowed me to show my range as an actor. Hope I make you proud,' she wrote in her social media post.
Action and Underwater Sequences
Beyond the dual-character dynamic, Shanaya described the physically gruelling action and underwater sequences as among the most difficult elements of the shoot. She credited action director Bunty Sir (Vikram Dahiya) and underwater team lead Sukesh Sir (Sukesh Viswanath) for guiding her through moments she thought were beyond her limits.
'There were difficult days and without your belief in me I wouldn't have been able to do any of it,' she acknowledged, adding a special mention for the Underwater Cartel team that supported her through the most challenging underwater shots.
Creative Freedom and Team Support
The actress also acknowledged director Reema Sen for providing the creative space to contribute her own inputs — something Shanaya described as invaluable for a performer still finding her footing. She further credited producer Apoorva Mehta for constant guidance and availability throughout the production.
'This was a challenging series to shoot, and I know each day, each minute, each second was crucial. It wouldn't have been possible without all of you,' she wrote, addressing the wider crew.
About the Series
'Student Of The Year – After Dark' reimagines the original 2012 campus-romance franchise as a gritty murder mystery. Produced by Karan Johar, the Hindi thriller is a significant tonal departure from its source material, trading feel-good college drama for suspense and high-stakes action. The series premieres on JioHotstar on 13 November 2026. For Shanaya — who made her acting debut in 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan' — the project represents a marked step up in scale and ambition.
Point of View
Vulnerability-lite — but it does underscore a genuine industry question: is debut-level OTT the right arena for a double role and stunt-heavy sequences, or does it set an unsustainable benchmark? The 'Student Of The Year' franchise has historically been a star-launch vehicle, and Karan Johar's decision to reframe it as a murder mystery with demanding action reflects how streaming has forced even feel-good IP to get grittier. Whether Shanaya's range matches the ambition of the project is a question only the audience can answer after 13 November.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Student Of The Year – After Dark' about?
'Student Of The Year – After Dark' is a Hindi thriller series that reimagines the original 2012 campus-romance franchise as a gritty murder mystery. It is produced by Karan Johar and directed by Reema Sen, and premieres on JioHotstar on 13 November 2026.
Who does Shanaya Kapoor play in the series?
Shanaya Kapoor plays twin sisters Aayesha and Aditi Malik, marking her first double role and her OTT debut. She described the dual character as a significant acting challenge given how early it comes in her career.
Why did Shanaya Kapoor find the shoot challenging?
Shanaya cited three main challenges: embodying two distinct characters in a double role, performing demanding action sequences, and shooting difficult underwater scenes. She credited action director Vikram Dahiya and underwater lead Sukesh Viswanath for helping her through the toughest moments.
Where can viewers watch 'Student Of The Year – After Dark'?
The series is available to stream on JioHotstar from 13 November 2026.
Who is involved in the production of the series?
The series is produced by Karan Johar and directed by Reema Sen. Shanaya Kapoor also acknowledged producer Apoorva Mehta for his support throughout the shoot.
