In a stunning twist to India’s streaming landscape, a zero budget YouTube web series has achieved what many thought was impossible, it has surpassed the average watch time of major OTT platform series, clocking over 5 million hours of watch time and counting.
Made without any production house, without big-name stars, and without a single rupee spent on promotion, this indie web series has quietly become a giant killer, and now, everyone’s talking about it.
From Real Friends to Real Impact : The Origin Story
This remarkable journey began in 2019, when filmmaker Shivam Jemini left his job to create a web series based on the lives of his real-life friends. He cast those very friends in the lead roles, shooting with minimal resources, pure passion, and raw authenticity.
That first season became ‘A Summer Story’ starring Shivam Jemini, Arya Singhal, Pourush Singh, Rohit Raghvendra and Subhorima Banerjee, followed by ‘A Winter Story’ in 2021, which began drawing loyal viewers. Then came ‘A Monsoon Story’ in 2023, an emotional season, after which the friends drifted apart due to real-life responsibilities.
It could’ve ended there, but it didn’t.
The Rise, How It Beat the Odds
In 2024, the series suddenly found its audience. Through word-of-mouth, organic reach, and the power of relatable storytelling, people across India began binge-watching all three seasons. The comments, shares, and fan edits poured in. The watch hours skyrocketed.
By 2025, the total watch time crossed 5 million hours, a number that exceeds the average lifetime watch time of many shows on all big OTT Platforms in India.
India’s First Meta-Fiction Web Series – Season 4
Not stopping at success, creators Shivam Jemini and Arya Singhal decided to take storytelling to the next level.
In 2025, they launched Season 4 : A Rachel and Samar Story, now being called India’s First Meta-Fiction Web Series.
What’s the twist?
Within the series, the characters Rachel and Samar are trying to make a web series, but the very series that the audience watches is the show they make. It’s a creative loop blending fiction and reality, pushing boundaries rarely explored in Indian content.
Why 5 Million Watch Hours Matters
Most Indian OTT shows, unless blockbuster hits, average around 1–2 million total watch hours. This YouTube series, made on zero budget, has crossed 5 million hours, beating the average watch time of many high-budget OTT productions.
No ads. No platform. Just story, heart, and viewers who connected.
The Message Is Clear: Passion Wins
This is more than just a milestone, it’s a message. That in today’s world, authentic storytelling can outshine money, and real connection matters more than marketing spend.
With new episodes every Friday on YouTube, Daring Ones Films is showing the world what’s possible when creators dare to dream, and dare to do.
