Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 13: Popular content creator and actor Ashish Chanchlani has entered the sci-fi space with his new YouTube series Ekaki, which he has written, directed, produced, and starred in. The ambitious project blends horror, comedy, and extraterrestrial elements, a combination rarely explored in Indian digital content.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Ashish revealed that his fascination with aliens and the fear of the unknown inspired the series. He explained that the concept began during a casual conversation with friends: “I said, ‘You say there are ghosts here, but it can even be aliens.’ That’s how we decided to make people believe it’s a ghost initially, only to reveal it was an alien all along.”
The storyline centers on a dangerous alien whose mission to extract minerals threatens Earth. Ashish intentionally reversed familiar Indian alien tropes seen in Koi… Mil Gaya, making the alien hostile to sunlight and visually intimidating rather than cute. He added that crafting the screenplay took three years to ensure simplicity despite the complex sci-fi elements.
Ashish admitted that Ekaki marked a turning point in his career. Known for relatable comedy sketches, he wanted to experiment and take risks. “I have turned 30, if I don’t take risk now, then when will I take risk?” he said. He also revealed that while the show has gained significant online traction, it has not been financially profitable yet, though he considers it a major emotional and creative success.
Interestingly, several OTT platforms initially failed to understand Ekaki’s format, a mix of YouTube-style sketch comedy with long-form storytelling. Ashish even rejected a lucrative OTT offer shortly before release, choosing YouTube to reach a wider audience. “Every chapter became an event, and people kept talking about it for months,” he said.
Addressing comparisons with Stranger Things, Ashish clarified that a telekinesis scene resembling the show’s finale was coincidental, as it was written in 2024, long before Stranger Things aired in January 2026. He also credited Rakesh Roshan’s Koi… Mil Gaya for inspiring bold experimentation in Indian sci-fi.
Looking ahead, Ashish revealed plans to expand the Ekaki universe and possibly explore spin-offs, stressing that any cinematic universe must follow a strong story rather than gimmickry.
Ekaki, combining innovation with classic sci-fi thrills, signals a bold new direction for Ashish Chanchlani and Indian digital content.