Content creator and filmmaker Ashish Chanchlani has achieved a major milestone as his sci-fi horror series, Ekaki, secured the No. 4 spot on IMDb’s list of the most popular Indian series for 2026.
The ranking comes as part of IMDb’s special report, 10 Years of Streaming in India – Top 10 Most Popular Indian Series, which highlights the top-performing shows year-by-year from 2016 through 2026.
What makes Ekaki’s achievement particularly notable is that it was released on YouTube rather than a traditional subscription-based OTT streaming platform.
Despite competing against big-budget OTT productions, the independently created web series garnered massive viewership and positive audience reviews to climb near the top of the 2026 charts.
Directed by Ashish Chanchlani, who also played a lead role in the series, Ekaki blends psychological horror with science fiction elements. The show’s inclusion in IMDb’s decade-defining streaming report underscores the growing influence of creator-led, independent digital productions in India’s mainstream entertainment landscape.
Industry analysts view this recognition as a testament to the shifting dynamics of digital content consumption, where compelling storytelling on free platforms like YouTube can directly rival established OTT giants in audience engagement and popularity.
