Digital creator Ashish Chanchlani has stepped beyond his signature short comedy sketches with his ambitious series Ekaki. The project has received strong appreciation from both audiences and critics. As a result, the series currently holds an overall rating of 8.2 on IMDb.
Moreover, the show’s final episode, “Chapter 5: The Conqueror,” has emerged as the highest-rated chapter of the series. It has earned an impressive 9.4 rating, making it one of the most talked-about digital releases on the platform.
A Bold Directorial Debut
With Ekaki, Ashish Chanchlani enters a new phase in his creative journey. While he is widely known for his viral comedy content, this project showcases a completely different side of his storytelling.
In fact, Ashish takes on several responsibilities in the series. He serves as the writer, director, producer, and lead actor, turning Ekaki into a true passion project.
Furthermore, the series marks a clear departure from his usual format. Instead of short sketches, Ashish presents a long-format sci-fi narrative, highlighting his ambition to explore deeper and more complex storytelling on YouTube.
A Genre-Blending Story That Captivated Viewers
Another major reason behind Ekaki’s popularity is its unique blend of genres.
Initially, the story begins with horror elements, creating an atmosphere of suspense. Gradually, however, the narrative transitions into science fiction. Eventually, it unfolds a deeper storyline that explores the origin of an entirely new species.
Because of this layered storytelling, viewers remained engaged throughout the series. Consequently, the show managed to stand out in India’s rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape.
Many critics and audiences have also described Ekaki as one of the first successful long-format sci-fi series created specifically for YouTube.
Finale Achieves Major Milestones
The finale episode achieved significant milestones soon after its release.
Within 24 hours, Chapter 5: The Conqueror crossed 1 crore views on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched long-format videos on the platform in a single day.
Additionally, the series reached another notable achievement. At one point, Ekaki ranked as the second most popular Indian show on IMDb. This is particularly remarkable considering it is the directorial debut of a creator primarily known for digital content.
A New Chapter for Digital Storytelling
The success of Ekaki also reflects a larger shift in the digital entertainment space. Traditionally, YouTube has been dominated by short-form videos. However, projects like this show that the platform can also support large-scale, long-form storytelling.
By experimenting with sci-fi narratives and cinematic storytelling, Ashish Chanchlani has demonstrated that independent creators can push creative boundaries beyond conventional streaming platforms.
At the same time, the series highlights the growing demand among audiences for original, genre-driven digital content.
The Team Behind Ekaki
While Ashish leads the project, the series is supported by a dedicated creative team:
- Kunal Chhabhria – Co-Producer
- Akash Dodeja – Parallel Lead
- Jashan Sirwani – Executive Producer
- Tanish Sirwani – Creative Direction
- Grishim Nawanii – Co-Writer
- Ritesh Sadhwani – Line Producer
All episodes of Ekaki are currently streaming on ACV Studios’ YouTube channel.
