Aranyak Season 2 Officially Cancelled: Raveena Tandon Says Creative Team Couldn’t Crack a Compelling Script
Veteran actress Raveena Tandon, who headlined Netflix’s 2021 crime thriller Aranyak, has finally confirmed that Season 2 is no longer in development. After nearly three years of speculation and anticipation from fans, Tandon stated that although there were once plans for a sequel, the team ultimately decided against moving forward due to creative constraints.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview, the National Award-winning actress revealed that while a second season had once been scripted, the final draft failed to meet expectations. “It’s not happening. Now I can say it. Earlier, we all had hope. In fact, I think season two was written as well, but I am not sure what the platform had in mind,” she said.
Tandon added that the high standards set by the success of the first season meant the creators were cautious about diluting the brand. “Every time they say, ‘Oh my God, it was a great show and one of our highest-viewed shows immediately after COVID’. But they just couldn’t crack a strong enough script,” she explained.
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Despite Audience Demand, Creative Pressure and Platform Decisions Led to CancellationAranyak debuted on Netflix in December 2021 and was praised for its atmospheric storytelling, strong performances, and compelling characters. The show quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched Indian originals, leading fans to expect a sequel. At one point, producer Siddharth Roy Kapur even confirmed that a second season was in development.
However, as OTT platforms increasingly focus on script quality and return on investment, several shows have been quietly dropped, despite initial success. Aranyak appears to have fallen into this category. According to sources close to Netflix India, the platform faced creative disagreements and felt that the continuation lacked narrative depth.
The first season left several questions unanswered, particularly surrounding the local myths and the supernatural undertones of the plot. But instead of forcing a follow-up with an underwhelming script, the team chose to preserve the integrity of the original series.
OTT Platforms Offer Fresh Opportunities for Actors from the 1990s, Says Raveena Tandon
While expressing disappointment over the cancelled second season, Raveena Tandon took the opportunity to acknowledge how OTT platforms have helped reinvent careers for actors from the 1990s. “OTT has opened more avenues for us. There are so many characters we wanted to explore, but never had the chance,” she shared.
She emphasized that the format of web series allows actors to dive deeper into character development—something films, constrained by shorter runtimes, don’t typically allow. “You are kind of encapsulating the entire story in those 2–2.5 hours in cinema. But on OTT, you can play around with little traits and evolve a character more fully,” she added.
This flexibility has proven crucial for actors seeking substance over spectacle. For Tandon, it marked a refreshing change from the glamorous roles she was known for in the ’90s, giving her the opportunity to evolve as an artist.
Raveena Tandon’s Role in Karmma Calling Marked a Bold Move into Negative Characters
One of the most exciting opportunities to come her way post-Aranyak was her role in Karmma Calling, a drama series where she portrayed a character with morally grey shades. The series showcased a side of Tandon rarely seen before, and she relished the chance to step away from her usual heroic persona.
“Secretly, even though I’ve always been a heroine at heart, I’ve always wanted to do a negative role,” she confessed. “Villains and vamps always get to have the most fun. Why should they have all the fun?”
Her performance in Karmma Calling has not only been praised by critics but has also opened up conversations about how mainstream actors can successfully transition into unconventional roles. “It’s like an entire rainbow of different colours, varieties, and different roles that one should try as an actor,” she added.
Veteran Artists Find a New Voice Through Streaming Content
Raveena Tandon’s career is just one example of how streaming platforms have changed the dynamics of the Indian entertainment industry. With limited cinema releases for actors who don’t fall into the traditional “leading man or woman” mold, OTT has offered meaningful, layered parts to veteran performers.
Actors such as Madhuri Dixit, Sushmita Sen, Karisma Kapoor, and Manisha Koirala have also found critical success through streaming shows. For Tandon, the recognition that came from playing Kasturi Dogra in Aranyak—a tough, small-town police officer—reignited her passion for the craft.
Her performance won her the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, reaffirming that seasoned actors still have much to offer in the evolving landscape of Indian content.
While the cancellation of Aranyak Season 2 marks the end of what could have been a gripping continuation, it also highlights the rise of quality-driven content decisions in OTT. Raveena Tandon’s powerful performance in the first season left a mark on audiences, but more importantly, it symbolized a new chapter in her career.
For fans disappointed by the sequel’s cancellation, there’s still reason to celebrate. The OTT era has brought back actors like Tandon to the spotlight, this time in roles that challenge them and redefine their screen identities.
As she continues to take on bold and diverse roles, Tandon remains optimistic. “One shouldn’t limit themselves, but push beyond boundaries to see what else they can do,” she concluded. With multiple projects already in development, it’s clear that her journey on digital platforms is only just beginning.
