Jennifer Winget’s latest performance in the Netflix mystery thriller Shaque Trust No One has prompted some viewers to draw comparisons with her much-loved character Maya from Beyhadh. The actress plays Sakshi in the new series, a complex character whose actions and emotional journey have reminded fans of elements associated with her earlier television role.
The comparison recently became a topic of discussion when producer and creator Siddharth P Malhotra spoke about it in an exclusive interview with Zoom. Rather than rejecting the connection, Malhotra welcomed the fact that viewers were remembering Maya while watching Winget in Shaque.
Malhotra explained that Maya remains an iconic character and pointed out his own connection with the original Beyhadh. He said that remembering Maya while watching Winget in Shaque could be considered a positive development and a tribute to the work associated with the character.
At the same time, the producer stressed that Winget should also be appreciated for her current performance independently of Maya. He highlighted the actress’s strong and loyal fan following and suggested that whether or not viewers see similarities with Maya, her work in Shaque deserves attention on its own.
Shaque Trust No One is a mystery thriller created by Rensil D’Silva and Siddharth P Malhotra and directed by D’Silva. The series premiered on Netflix on September 24, 2026. It stars Parineeti Chopra in the lead along with Jennifer Winget, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Soni Razdan, Anup Soni, Harleen Sethi, Sumeet Vyas and Dhruv Chaudhary.
The story follows Anvita, played by Parineeti Chopra, whose newborn daughter disappears. Years after the child’s disappearance, Anvita continues searching for answers. Her investigation gradually brings hidden relationships, secrets and suspicions to the surface.
Jennifer Winget plays Sakshi, one of the key characters connected to the mystery. As the story progresses, the character becomes an important part of the suspense surrounding the missing child and the relationships between the people involved.
The nature of Sakshi’s character has encouraged comparisons with Maya, the character Winget played in Beyhadh. Maya became one of the actress’s most recognised television roles, and the character was remembered for her intense emotions and complicated personality.
The comparison has also appeared in reviews of Shaque. NDTV noted similarities between Winget’s portrayal of Sakshi and her earlier Beyhadh character, particularly in the way the new role explores obsession, emotional intensity and complicated relationships.
However, Shaque is not presented as a continuation of Beyhadh, and Sakshi is a separate character within a completely different story. The connection is primarily being made by viewers and critics based on Winget’s performance and the emotional characteristics of the two roles.
Malhotra’s comments are significant because of his own association with Beyhadh. He was involved with the original series, which helped establish Jennifer Winget’s Maya as a widely remembered television character.
For Winget, the comparison demonstrates the lasting impact of Maya more than a direct connection between the two characters. Years after Beyhadh, audiences continue to associate the actress with the role, particularly when she takes on characters that involve emotional complexity and psychological tension.
Shaque gives Winget a different setting in which to explore those qualities. The series is structured around uncertainty, with several characters carrying secrets and different perspectives on the central mystery. Netflix describes the show as a story about a mother’s nine-year search for her missing child and the questions that emerge about the people around her.
The ensemble nature of Shaque is also important to the series. Along with Winget and Chopra, the show features Soni Razdan, Anup Soni, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Harleen Sethi, Sumeet Vyas and Dhruv Chaudhary. Each character contributes to the mystery, making it difficult for viewers to determine whom they can trust.
Malhotra has also spoken about the response to Shaque following its release. In a recent interview, he said the series had received a strong reaction from audiences and revealed that a second season is being developed. He clarified that Shaque Season 2 will not continue the same story and will instead feature a new story.
The producer’s comments indicate that the team is pleased with the attention the series has received. He also said that he had received an unusually large number of calls about the show compared with his previous series.
The response to Winget’s performance has been an important part of the discussion surrounding Shaque. Her established television following has helped generate interest in the character, while the contrast between her previous work and her new role has encouraged audiences to examine the performance more closely.
For fans of Beyhadh, seeing Winget in a psychologically layered role may naturally bring back memories of Maya. However, Shaque provides the actress with an opportunity to portray a different character within a mystery thriller that focuses on family relationships, suspicion and the search for truth.
The comparison does not mean that Maya has returned. Instead, it reflects the audience’s familiarity with Winget’s earlier work and the similarities they perceive in the emotional intensity of her latest role.
Malhotra’s response suggests that he is comfortable with audiences making that connection. At the same time, he wants Winget’s work in Shaque to be recognised on its own terms.
As Shaque continues to attract attention on Netflix, Jennifer Winget’s portrayal of Sakshi remains one of the elements being discussed by viewers. The Maya comparison has added another layer to that conversation, particularly among longtime fans who remember Beyhadh.
For now, there is no indication that the Maya character itself is returning in a new Beyhadh project. The current discussion is solely about the similarities audiences have noticed between Maya and Sakshi and the way Winget approaches both characters.
The producer’s comments ultimately highlight the continuing popularity of Maya while also celebrating Winget’s ability to take on another challenging role. Whether viewers see Sakshi as an echo of Maya or as a completely separate character, the comparison shows how strongly Winget’s earlier performance continues to remain in the minds of television audiences.
Shaque Trust No One is currently available to stream on Netflix, with seven episodes in its first season. The series combines mystery, crime, family drama and psychological suspense, while Winget’s performance has become one of the talking points surrounding the show.
