‘Ekaki’: How Ashish Chanchlani Created a Horror-Sci-Fi Series on Just 10% of a Bollywood Film’s Budget and Scored Nearly 150 Million Views

Popular digital creator Ashish Chanchlani has once again demonstrated the growing power of independent online storytelling with his ambitious horror-sci-fi series “Ekaki.” Produced on a budget reportedly just 10% of what a typical Bollywood film might cost, the project has become a massive success on YouTube, gathering nearly 150 million views and widespread appreciation from audiences.

A Bold Shift from Comedy Sketches

Chanchlani, best known for his comedic sketches on his channel Ashish Chanchlani Vines, revealed that the idea for “Ekaki” emerged during a period when he felt creatively exhausted from producing festival-themed comedy videos and short sketches.

After years of making viral comedic content, the creator said he wanted to take a bigger creative risk by telling a deeper story with cinematic elements. Instead of sticking to his usual style, he decided to explore a darker and more complex narrative combining horror and science fiction.

Making a Big Vision with a Small Budget

Despite working with a limited budget compared with mainstream film productions, Chanchlani and his team focused on creative storytelling, visual effects, and strong performances to bring the project to life. The team used innovative filming techniques and detailed planning to achieve a cinematic feel while keeping production costs low.

The result was a series that surprised viewers with its production quality, gripping storyline, and suspenseful atmosphere. Many fans praised the series for looking and feeling like a big-budget production despite being created primarily for a digital platform.

Massive Online Response

Since its release, “Ekaki” has generated enormous traction online, with millions of viewers watching and sharing the series across social media platforms. The project quickly gained momentum, reaching nearly 150 million views and sparking conversations about the potential of digital creators to produce high-quality long-form storytelling.

The success also highlights how platforms like YouTube are enabling independent creators to compete with traditional film and television industries.

A Turning Point for Digital Storytelling

Industry observers believe the success of “Ekaki” could encourage more digital creators to experiment with larger, cinematic projects instead of sticking solely to short viral videos.

For Chanchlani, the project represents more than just view counts—it marks a creative milestone. By stepping outside his comfort zone and investing in a narrative-driven series, he has shown that online creators can build ambitious, story-focused content that resonates with massive audiences worldwide.