Aarya is a Hindi crime thriller series starring Sushmita Sen as Aarya Sareen, a mother who is pulled into her family’s drug business after her husband is shot dead. Co-created by Ram Madhvani and Sandeep Modi, it ran for three seasons from 2020 to 2024 and streams on JioHotstar. Here is our Aarya review.
When the first season dropped in June 2020, it marked Sushmita Sen’s return to the screen in a lead role after a long gap. The show went on to earn an International Emmy nomination for Best Drama Series in 2021, and it is still one of the better Indian crime dramas on streaming.
Aarya at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime thriller, family drama |
| Creators | Ram Madhvani, Sandeep Modi |
| Based on | Dutch series Penoza |
| Seasons | 3 (25 episodes) |
| Season 1 | 19 June 2020, 9 episodes |
| Season 2 | 10 December 2021, 8 episodes |
| Season 3 | Two parts, 3 November 2023 and 9 February 2024 |
| Where to watch in India | JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar) |
Aarya story: what the show is about
Aarya Sareen lives a comfortable life in Rajasthan with her husband Tej, played by Chandrachur Singh, and their three children. Tej runs a pharmaceutical business with Aarya’s brother and a family friend. In the first episode, Tej is shot, and Aarya learns the company is a front for a drug trade.
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A large consignment goes missing, and the people Tej owed money to come after the family. The men around Aarya either fail or betray her, while the police, led by ACP Younus Khan (Vikas Kumar), push her to turn informer. To protect her children, she steps into the business herself.
The season does not rush. It spends time on grief, guilt and the children’s anger, and that makes the violence land harder when it comes. It ends on a cliffhanger that sets up the second season.
Sushmita Sen carries the show
The series rests on Sushmita Sen, and she holds it. Her Aarya is not a superhero. She is frightened, often unsure and sometimes wrong, but she learns quickly and does not back down. Sen plays the quiet scenes, a mother checking on a sleeping child or sitting alone after a funeral, as well as the confrontations.
The role also uses her public image well. Sen, Miss Universe 1994, has long been known as a single mother of two daughters, and the show’s focus on a woman fiercely protecting her children feels natural with her in it. She won Best Actor (Female) at the Filmfare OTT Awards 2020 for the role.
Supporting cast
- Sikander Kher as Daulat, the family’s silent and loyal enforcer. He is one of the show’s highlights.
- Chandrachur Singh as Tej Sareen, whose death sets the plot moving.
- Vikas Kumar as ACP Younus Khan, the officer chasing the family.
- Namit Das as Jawahar Bishnoi, Aarya’s brother-in-law, in season 1.
- Ankur Bhatia as Sangram Singh Rathore, a key figure in the later seasons.
What works and what doesn’t
What works: The adaptation of Penoza feels Indian rather than copied. Madhvani bought the remake rights in 2011, and the long development shows in the details: the joint family, the Rajasthan setting, and the pressure of keeping up appearances. The music, camera work and pacing build tension well.
What doesn’t: Some side plots, especially around the children, stretch longer than needed. A few twists in later seasons are easy to guess, and the drug world sometimes feels less dangerous than the dialogue suggests.
The show also asks for patience. Viewers expecting a fast action series may find the early episodes slow, since much of the tension comes from conversations at the dinner table rather than shootouts. That is a deliberate choice, and it pays off in the final episodes of season 1, when every quiet scene before suddenly matters.
Who should watch Aarya
Aarya suits viewers who enjoy character-driven crime stories such as Breaking Bad or Indian shows like Delhi Crime, where family and morality matter as much as the plot. It is rated for adult viewers because of violence, drug use and strong language, so it is not one for a family evening.
Seasons 2 and 3 in brief
Season 2 brings Aarya back to India to face the fallout of season 1, with a trial, rival gangs and her children caught in the middle. Season 3, released in two parts, raises the stakes further and was promoted as the final chapter of her fight, with the second part titled Aarya: Antim Vaar. Directors Ram Madhvani, Vinod Rawat and Kapil Sharma handled the later seasons.
Is there an Aarya season 4?
As of October 2026, we found no official announcement of a fourth season from the makers or JioHotstar. All three seasons remain available on JioHotstar in India. For more series reviews and streaming picks, visit our entertainment section, and read about the stars in our people section.
Verdict
Aarya is a well-made crime drama with a strong lead. If you like slow-burn family thrillers, season 1 is worth watching for Sushmita Sen alone, and seasons 2 and 3 round off her arc. Rating: 4 out of 5 for season 1.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Aarya?
All three seasons of Aarya stream on JioHotstar in India. The service was formed in 2025 when Disney+ Hotstar merged with JioCinema.
How many seasons of Aarya are there?
Three seasons with 25 episodes in total. Season 3 was released in two parts in November 2023 and February 2024.
Is Aarya based on a true story?
No. It is an adaptation of the Dutch crime drama Penoza, reworked for an Indian setting.
Will there be Aarya season 4?
No fourth season had been officially announced as of October 2026.
Sources: Wikipedia: Aarya (TV series), Wikipedia: JioHotstar, Gulf News on Aarya 3 release.
