With Student of the Year: After Dark, director Reema Maya explores the pressures of competition on young minds

Director Reema Maya's journey from independent short films to mainstream television series, Student of the Year: After Dark, reflects her desire to explore new creative horizons. As the series' creator and director, Maya admits that stepping into the shoes of this project was daunting. Working on the six-episode spin-off of the popular franchise, which tackles heavy themes, was a conscious choice for her.

She wanted to understand the complexities of character development in a longer format and gain a deeper understanding of the grammar of commercial cinema. Maya's transition to mainstream cinema was made smoother by the creative freedom she received from producer Karan Johar and Dharma Productions. She was directed to "make it your own," and her vision focused on the intense competition that shapes young lives.

By delving into the emotional and psychological struggles faced by these young people, Maya aimed to portray a more authentic representation of their experiences. The darker tone of the series is not meant to shock but to reflect the imperfect world we live in. Maya's background in independent filmmaking and her interest in storytelling with social resonance, evident in her previous short films, continue to influence her work.

She sees no reason why an independent filmmaker cannot excel in a commercial project, citing filmmakers like Wong Kar-wai, Michel Gondry, and Charlie Kaufman as her inspirations.