We’ve all grown up watching Student Of The Year, dreaming of wearing that ombre pink lehenga and dancing on Radha. That glamorous high school life full of love triangles, friendship drama, and whatnot was the ultimate dream. But Student Of The Year After Dark takes the familiar world and gives it a murderous, sinister makeover. We’re back at St Teresa’s Heritage, the boarding school for the rich and privileged, with spoilt brats trying to one-up each other. Here, popularity is power, friendships come with T&Cs, and winning the secret Student Of The Year competition can cost you your life. With frenemies lurking, selfies revealing secrets, and an actual murder, does this six-part series deliver a deliciously dangerous story? Or does it keep building up, only to fall flat in the end? Read this Student Of The Year After Dark review to find out.

Pretty faces, sinister secrets, and a dead body in the lake

Aayesha Malik (Shanaya Kapoor), St Teresa’s most popular senior, is found frozen and dead 112 km from the campus, in the Barakhalli Lake. Right before her death, her video was leaked, in which she is trying to expose something that could have possibly led to her demise. But before anyone can investigate what happened, the video is deleted. To make things worse, instead of finding answers, the school is fighting to protect its reputation.

But there is someone hell-bent on finding out what happened that tragic night: Aditi (Shanaya Kapoor), Aayesha’s twin sister. She enrols in St Teresa’s because that is the only way to find out the truth. Coincidentally, this isn’t the first incident of disappearance, death, or accidents. Just a month before Aayesha’s death, Dean D’Souza was also found dead on the campus, and it was ruled a suicide. Another student, Mohit More, fell from a cliff and has been in a coma for the last two years. So, what exactly is the school trying to hide? And why are Aayesha’s friends keeping so many secrets from Aditi?

Friends, frenemies, or felons?

Aayesha’s close circle is anything but friendship goals. Her bestie Tara Barman (Manya Grover) is clearly the main character, tired of playing Aayesha’s sidekick. Siddharth Saraiya (Divik Sharma) is her not-so-perfect boyfriend with temper and family issues. Jay-D (Adi Malik) is Tara’s boyfriend and Sid’s bestie. Rehaan Rizvi (Abhinav Singh) has been in love with her since eighth grade and has been repeatedly friend-zoned by her. And Smriti Bisht, aka Babydoll (Deeya Damini), is Aayesha’s bestie-turned-frenemy-turned-friend-again. Aditi has her work cut out for her, and she must befriend the circle to get to the bottom of the mess. And soon enough, she discovers the secret Student Of The Year competition that is held on the school premises after dark. But what’s the prize for winning, and worse, what’s the price of losing?

Winning the trophy comes with a sweet reward. The winner gets whatever they want. Quite literally. While it may sound tempting, it is not just fun and games. The contestants are being watched and tracked at all times by the host. And one must never reveal anything about the competition, or things could get fatal. It follows a series of deadly rounds and tasks, and only one person can become the winner. With everyone showing their true colours and how they’ll go to any lengths to claim the trophy, did Aayesha become a pawn in someone’s game? Or was she eliminated because she was a threat to someone?

The night before her disappearance, the first qualifier round takes place. But Sid, Rehaan, and Aayesha get into a heated argument, and things get ugly. That’s when everyone last sees Aayesha alive. So, does Aditi find out about her sister’s death before every trace and piece of evidence is wiped clean? Or does she become the next victim in this sinister game?

Student Of The Year After Dark: Final thoughts

The six-part series is a gritty story that keeps throwing twists and turns your way. The high school setting gives a fun, light contrast to the otherwise disturbing games. And the growing list of suspects keeps the mystery alive. Shanaya Kapoor is pleasantly surprising in a double role and delivers an engaging performance. The cast, including Divik, Deeya, Manya, Abhinav, and Adi Malik, brings a messy energy to the dynamic. They add layers of love, jealousy, regret, fear, and romantic obsession, making this teenage drama feel a lot more fun and cheeky. Nobody is interested in being the bigger person or the innocent one. So, if you enjoy high school dramas with a dark twist, complicated relationships, and toxic friends, you might enjoy watching this one.

Student Of The Year After Dark is now streaming on Jio Hotstar.

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