'Saiyaara' star Aneet Padda & Fatima Sana Shaikh team up for thriller, 'Nyaya' - what to expect?

In what could become one of the most talked about on-screen duos of the year, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Aneet Padda are set to headline a new major OTT series tentatively titled Nyaya. Backed by directors Karan Kapadia and Nitya Mehra, the show brings together two rising performers in roles that promise to challenge them in very different ways.

While plot details are being kept under wraps, what’s known so far is that Nyaya will be an intense drama thriller with Fatima essaying the part of a determined law enforcer. This marks the first time she will be seen in a cop avatar and sources suggest it is a role that taps into her fierce and focused energy. Aneet, on the other hand, brings her own emotional and performative strength to the project having completed work on the series even before her feature debut Saiyaara hit screens.

The creative team behind the show is equally noteworthy. Karan Kapadia, who takes on dual responsibility as showrunner and co-director, joins hands with filmmaker Nitya Mehra. Together, they are said to have created a tightly wound narrative that places character, pace, and tension at its core. A source close to the development shared, “The series is an edge of the seat drama. Aneet shot for it before Saiyaara. Fatima plays a cop for the first time. Both are excellent in it. Karan and Nitya have put in a lot of effort to shape this into something gripping.”

Fatima Sana Shaikh is in the middle of an interesting career phase with her recent choices reflecting range and boldness. In July alone, she was seen in two very different projects — the Netflix original Aap Jaisa Koi and the theatrical release Metro...In Dino. Each project drew attention for different reasons and Fatima’s performances remained a common highlight across them. Whether in intimate drama or ensemble-led narratives, she has shown the ability to hold her own and bring distinct flavor to every role.

Aneet Padda, meanwhile, is riding the momentum that followed Saiyaara, a film that firmly placed her on the map. Though relatively new to the screen, her performance in that Mohit Suri-directed romantic drama was singled out for its control and screen presence. Prior to that, she appeared in a small but memorable role in Salaam Venky which also starred Kajol. With Nyaya, Aneet now steps into the world of long-form storytelling where characters unfold over time and demand sustained performance arcs.

What makes this pairing especially interesting is the contrast in energy they bring. Fatima’s grit and emotional depth meet Aneet’s freshness and poise. On paper, it makes for a compelling combination. And in a story that is said to revolve around justice, crime, and power, the stakes are likely to be high.

OTT has long become a space for actors to push boundaries and a series like Nyaya could give both Fatima and Aneet the kind of platform that lets them stretch and explore. For audiences, it is a chance to watch two artists at different but exciting stages in their careers share the screen in a space that encourages experimentation and intensity.

With a strong creative backing, a tense premise, and two talents on the rise, Nyaya might just be one of the sleeper hits of the upcoming season. There is no official release date yet but anticipation is beginning to build steadily around the show.

As the OTT landscape becomes increasingly crowded, it is these sharply focused character-driven thrillers that tend to break through the clutter. With Nyaya, the combination of story and cast seems primed for impact without any unnecessary frills.

One thing is certain, considering the boost both actors have in their respective careers right now, to see them together on-screen in an OTT project is a treat indeed.