Filmmaker Karan Johar’s franchise Student of the Year is set for a major overhaul as it shifts from a traditional feature film format into an edgy web series. Scheduled to premiere on JioHotstar, the upcoming third instalment—titled Student of the Year 3 is pivoting away from the glossy, high-school cinematic style of its predecessors to deliver a darker, streaming-focused youth drama featuring Shanaya Kapoor.
‘Student of the Year 3’ Update: A Darker, Provocative Format
Unlike the 2012 and 2019 feature films, Student of the Year 3 marks the franchise’s transition into a full-length digital web series. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, a source revealed that the project is “darker, edgier and far more intense than the previous two instalments”. Tonally, the series is envisioned as a hybrid of hit high-school dramas.
“Tonally, it is being envisioned as a Class-meets-Euphoria kind of show — blending the privileged, high-pressure world of young students, complicated friendships and relationships seen in Netflix’s Indian series Class with the bold, provocative and emotionally turbulent treatment associated with the globally popular Euphoria,” the source stated.
Industry insiders note that this fresh, edgy approach aims to appeal to a wider audience across multiple streaming markets. The source added that “viewers will be pleasantly surprised by the conflicts, relationships and overall genre of the third part,” confirming that Student of the Year 3 is expected to release on JioHotstar.
Reports have also suggested potential titles like Student Of The Year 3 – After the Dark, though an official title has yet to be finalised.
‘Student of the Year’ Franchise Evolution
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Reema Maya, the upcoming series will star Shanaya Kapoor, who is reportedly taking on a double role for the multi-episode narrative. The decision to overhaul the franchise reflects an ongoing effort by Johar’s digital banner, Dharmatic Entertainment, to adapt long-standing Hindi cinema properties for modern streaming platforms.
The original Student of the Year film debuted in 2012, serving as a launchpad for Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra. Its 2019 sequel starred Tiger Shroff alongside debutantes Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria. By stepping away from the bright, commercial tone of the earlier theatrical releases, Student of the Year 3 aims to redefine the series for digital audiences with a grounded, mature look at student life.