Aarya Season 3: Disney+ Hotstar renews the Sushmita Sen Crime Thriller series

Season 3 of Aarya is launched. Disney+ Hotstar announced on Monday that it has officially launched a third season of the Sushmita Sen-directed crime thriller Hotstar Specials, with creator, director and producer Ram Madhvani returning in his capacity. Scripts for Aarya season 3 are being written, Disney+ Hotstar noted, though he did not name the writers involved. And while Sen is – no doubt – confirmed to return to the top, it’s unclear who could return to his side. Aarya Season 3 is a production of Madhvani’s Ram Madhvani Films, Endemol Shine India and Disney+ Hotstar.

“It’s a new dawn for Aarya Sareen, and she’s fierce,” Sen said in a prepared statement. “In season 3, she goes far and starts her own story without the obstacles of her past. Taking on the role of Aarya is like putting on an old pair of jeans but on a whole new journey. It’s great to be back with Ram Madhvani and the Disney+ Hotstar team, can’t wait to return the love and appreciation that viewers showered Aarya.”

Confirmation of renewal for Aarya comes nearly seven months since the premiere of the second season in December last year. A month before that at the 2021 International Emmys, Aarya – nominated for its first season which began during the first COVID-19 lockdown in June 2020 – lost to Israeli spy series Apple TV+ Tehran in the Best Drama Series category.

Based on the Dutch Penoza series, Aarya follows a woman (Sen) who learns that her pharmaceutical baron husband is a drug dealer after he is murdered. To protect her family, Aarya reluctantly takes over the family’s criminal empire – only to discover she has a knack for it. Given that Penoza ran for five seasons between 2010 and 2017, Aarya has plenty of material to draw inspiration from as you go.

“Disney+ Hotstar has been an incredible partner in building Aarya across two seasons and we are thrilled to partner with them again for another season,” Madhvani said in a prepared statement. “The journey of developing a gripping storyline, thrills and family love has begun, and we’re sure it will once again leave audiences wanting more. The stakes only increase from here!

“Having been nominated for the International Emmy Awards last year, Aarya is a jewel in the Disney+ Hotstar crown,” added Gaurav Banerjee, Disney+ Hotstar Content Manager. “Since its first season, the series has truly been a game-changer, redefining Indian storytelling with women breaking stereotypes. We have received immense love and appreciation from viewers for the first two seasons, coupled with a great anticipation of what comes next. We can’t wait to unveil what happens next through the Season 3 narrative.”

Aarya Season 3 is coming soon to Disney+ Hotstar, though I don’t expect it until 2023.