Student Of The Year 3 is reportedly being reimagined as a darker OTT series backed by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment. Reema Maya is directing, while Shanaya Kapoor is reportedly set to headline the show in a double role. Bollywood Hungama describes its tone as a blend of Class and Euphoria.
Student Of The Year 3 is reportedly taking a darker OTT route
The Student Of The Year franchise is heading into a very different phase with its third instalment.
According to a September 7 report by Bollywood Hungama, Student Of The Year 3 is being developed as a web series rather than a theatrical film.
The project is backed by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment and is being directed by Reema Maya.
Unlike the first two films, the upcoming series is reportedly moving away from glossy campus entertainment.
The new version is expected to explore darker relationships, intense conflicts and a more provocative youth-drama setting.
Bollywood Hungama’s report describes the project as a “Class-meets-Euphoria” style series, based on information from a source close to the production.
Why it matters
The tonal change could completely redefine what audiences expect from the franchise.
Instead of focusing primarily on glamour, romance, friendship and campus competition, the series appears positioned to explore the pressures and complications surrounding privileged young characters.
That also gives the streaming format more room to develop multiple characters and longer emotional arcs.
Shanaya Kapoor is reportedly playing a double role
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Student Of The Year 3 is Shanaya Kapoor’s reported casting.
According to Bollywood Hungama, Shanaya will headline the series and is reportedly set to play a double role.
The identities and relationship between her two characters have not been officially revealed.
That mystery could become one of the series’ central hooks once the makers begin their official promotional campaign.
Shanaya’s involvement also connects Student Of The Year 3 with the franchise’s long-running tradition of introducing young actors through the Dharma banner.
The original film launched Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra in 2012.
The 2019 sequel featured Tiger Shroff, Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria.
Reema Maya is directing the third instalment
Reema Maya is attached to direct Student Of The Year 3, marking another major departure for the franchise.
Maya is known for her independent filmmaking work, including the acclaimed short film Nocturnal Burger.
Karan Johar previously confirmed that Maya would direct the third instalment as a web series. Bollywood Hungama reported that confirmation in 2024.
Earlier reports had already indicated that the project would transition from a theatrical release to streaming.
A 2025 report also described the project as a six-episode web series and linked Shanaya to a reported double role.
The latest update therefore appears to build on an existing project rather than introduce an entirely new concept.
What does “Class-meets-Euphoria” mean for Student Of The Year 3?
The comparison gives the clearest indication of the reported creative direction.
Class explored privilege, social divisions, teenage pressure and complicated relationships against an elite-school backdrop.
Euphoria, meanwhile, is known for its intense exploration of young characters, emotional turmoil, relationships and difficult subject matter.
According to the latest report, Student Of The Year 3 is expected to combine elements associated with both approaches.
The result could be considerably more intense than the earlier Student Of The Year films.
However, the comparison should be treated as a description of the reported tone rather than confirmation of the actual storyline.
The makers have not officially revealed the complete plot.
Will Student Of The Year 3 be called After The Dark?
Another detail creating curiosity is the reported title.
Earlier reports suggested that the series could be called Student Of The Year 3 – After The Dark.
However, Bollywood Hungama’s latest report states that the title has not been finalised.
Therefore, After The Dark should not currently be treated as the confirmed title.
The official announcement is expected to clarify the name, cast and other details.
Student Of The Year 3 OTT release date: When will it stream?
Student Of The Year 3 is reportedly expected to release on JioHotstar in 2026.
However, an exact streaming date has not been officially announced.
The project’s move to streaming was reported several years ago, with Dharmatic Entertainment attached as producer.
The latest Bollywood Hungama report again states that the series is expected to arrive on JioHotstar this year.
Release date: Not officially announced
Reported platform: JioHotstar
Format: Web series
Director: Reema Maya
Lead: Shanaya Kapoor
Reported role: Double role
Producer: Dharmatic Entertainment
How is Student Of The Year 3 different from the first two films?
The difference is expected to be substantial.
| Element | Student Of The Year | Student Of The Year 2 | Student Of The Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Film | Film | Web series |
| Release | 2012 | 2019 | Expected 2026 |
| Director | Karan Johar | Punit Malhotra | Reema Maya |
| Lead-generation focus | Alia, Varun, Sidharth | Ananya, Tara | Shanaya Kapoor |
| Tone | Glossy youth drama | Glossy campus entertainer | Reportedly darker and edgier |
| Platform | Theatrical | Theatrical | Reportedly JioHotstar |
| Shanaya Kapoor | — | — | Reported double role |
The first film centred on friendship, romance, ambition and competition at an elite college.
The second continued the franchise’s campus-driven formula with a new generation of characters.
The third instalment appears to be changing both the format and genre treatment.
Shanaya Kapoor’s career makes the project significant
Shanaya Kapoor has now moved into more varied territory after beginning her acting career with Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan.
She was subsequently seen in Tu Yaa Main, which gave her another opportunity to work in a genre-driven project
A double role in a darker streaming drama could therefore give her a substantially different performance challenge.
It would also place her at the centre of a franchise that has historically been associated with launching young Bollywood talent.
Why the OTT shift could work for the franchise
Moving Student Of The Year to streaming gives the franchise an opportunity to experiment.
The first two films were designed around theatrical spectacle, music, glamour and easily recognisable campus dynamics.
An episodic format can instead spend more time developing relationships, rivalries and character motivations.
That makes a darker youth drama potentially more suitable for the current streaming landscape.
The bigger question will be whether the new series can retain the franchise identity while establishing a distinct personality of its own.
What has been officially confirmed about Student Of The Year 3?
The broad direction of the project has been reported consistently over multiple updates.
Karan Johar confirmed Reema Maya’s involvement and the web-series format in 2024.
Reports in 2025 subsequently linked Shanaya Kapoor to the lead role and reported that she would play two characters.
The latest September 2026 report adds the darker Class-meets-Euphoria tonal description and reiterates the JioHotstar release expectation.
However, the makers have yet to make a complete official announcement covering the final title, detailed storyline, release date and entire cast.
For now, the darker concept and Shanaya’s double role should therefore be treated as reported details, not fully confirmed plot information.
FAQs
Is Student Of The Year 3 a movie or web series?
Student Of The Year 3 is reportedly being developed as a web series rather than a theatrical film. The project is expected to stream on JioHotstar.
Is Shanaya Kapoor playing a double role in Student Of The Year 3?
Yes, reports indicate that Shanaya Kapoor will play a double role in Student Of The Year 3. The identities and relationship between her two characters have not been revealed.
Who is directing Student Of The Year 3?
Reema Maya is directing Student Of The Year 3. Karan Johar had previously confirmed her involvement with the web-series project.
Is Student Of The Year 3 darker than the first two films?
Reports suggest that the third instalment will be significantly darker and more intense than the first two films, with its tone described as a blend of Class and Euphoria.
