Mrunal Thakur has applauded digital creator Ashish Chanchlani after the Ekaki series hit a huge YouTube milestone. Chapter 5 of the long-format show became the most-viewed long video within 24 hours, drawing over 1 crore views. The numbers are still rising, making Ekaki a major talking point online.
The latest chapter strengthens Ekaki’s position among Indian web series that focus on long storytelling instead of short sketches. Viewers have responded strongly to the mix of genres, visual scale, and emotional moments. This broad appeal has helped the series travel across different age groups and regions in India.
Mrunal Thakur Ashish Chanchlani Ekaki appreciation on social media
Reacting to the response, Mrunal shared support for Ashish on social media and highlighted the creative risk. Mrunal called attention to the consistency in Ashish’s work, noting how each project feels bigger in ambition. In the post, Mrunal wrote that Mrunal is “always proud” of the way Ashish keeps experimenting.
Mrunal also referred to the project’s title while celebrating the achievement, using the caption “Always Proud.” to underline the emotion. The message reflected how mainstream film actors are tracking Ekaki’s growth. It also showed how digital stories can now spark conversation within the wider entertainment industry.
Mrunal Thakur Ashish Chanchlani Ekaki team and key roles
On Ekaki, Ashish Chanchlani leads many departments at once, shaping the project from start to finish. Ashish works as writer, director, producer and main actor, treating the series as a personal passion piece. A close-knit team supports this vision, helping turn the script into a full YouTube series.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Creator / Writer / Director / Producer / Lead Actor | Ashish Chanchlani |
| Co-producer | Kunal Chhabhria |
| Parallel Lead | Akash Dodeja |
| Executive Producer | Jashan Sirwani |
| Creative Direction Support | Tanish Sirwani |
| Screenplay Collaboration | Grishim Nawanii |
| Line Producer | Ritesh Sadhwani |
The screenplay for Ekaki has been developed with inputs from Grishim Nawanii, adding structure to Ashish’s core idea. On-ground execution is handled by line producer Ritesh Sadhwani, who oversees the day-to-day shoot needs. All episodes are currently streaming on ACV Studios’ YouTube channel, giving fans access to the full story.
Mrunal Thakur Ashish Chanchlani Ekaki genre shifts and impact
Ekaki stands out for its bold shift in tone and genre across the episodes. The story moves from horror to sci-fi, then expands into an origin tale for a new species. Such steady genre evolution is still rare in Indian web content, which often stays within safer categories.
The writing steps away from regular digital formulas and tries ideas not usually seen on Indian web series. Visual treatment aims for scale, while performances aim to keep viewers immersed despite the format change. Comedy and romance have long dominated online videos, but Ekaki’s direction gives audiences something less predictable.
For many fans, Ekaki represents more than just a viral chapter or a trending video. Viewers see it as proof that a full-fledged long series can work on YouTube at scale. Supporters note that Ashish has turned this format into a success, encouraging other creators to think bigger.
Industry watchers point out that creators like Ashish Chanchlani, backed by praise from names like Mrunal Thakur, are reshaping expectations from Indian digital shows. With Ekaki gaining over 1 crore views on Chapter 5 within 24 hours, interest around future episodes and similar projects on ACV Studios’ YouTube channel is likely to stay strong.
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