Noida: TV9 Network’s in-house production unit, Studio9, has made history by delivering India its first-ever win in the OTT documentary programme category at the prestigious 30th Asian Television Awards 2025 in Singapore.
Fanatics, commissioned by OTT platform DocuBay, is a compelling documentary that explores the intense and often obsessive fan culture surrounding South Indian cinema. It delves into the emotional depths and societal impact of the unwavering loyalty fans have for their favourite actors, portraying fandom as more than just admiration—sometimes verging on reverence and worship.
Fanatics beat six other nominees to bag the award. These were: Bitter Sweet Ballad, Echoes of Life, and Life on the Millennial Old Grand Canal (entries from China); Polar Alarm (Taiwan), and Kargil 1999 and Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli (from India).
The 55-minute documentary, Fanatics, features candid conversations with leading South Indian stars like Kichcha Sudeep, Allu Arjun, and Vijay Sethupathi, as well as industry observers, mental health experts, and film historians. It highlights the cultural phenomenon where fans create temples for their idols, adorn their bodies with tattoos of their stars, and engage in passionate celebrations during film releases and birthdays.
“Receiving this honour at the 30th Asian Television Awards is a defining moment not just for DocuBay, but for India’s growing presence in global nonfiction storytelling. As the first Indian documentary in the OTT category to win this prestigious award, Fanatics reaffirms our belief in backing culturally rooted narratives that carry universal resonance. At The EPIC Company, we are committed to creating stories that travel beyond borders, and this recognition is a testament to that vision,” said Aditya Pittie, Managing Director, The EPIC Company.
“We knew we had a winner on our hands from the word go. The subject was unique, its appeal universal, and the stories in it both gripping and insightful. I thank DocuBay for giving Studio9 the opportunity to produce it,” said Barun Das, MD & CEO of TV9 Network.
“Fanatics” also addresses the darker side of this fanaticism, such as fierce rivalries between fan groups that sometimes escalate into violence, the psychological roots of extreme devotion, and the emotional toll on individuals. Through personal stories—like that of a fan who found solace in actor Allu Arjun after enduring social stigma due to a cleft palate—the documentary captures the profound connection between stars and their fans. As a producer, I have won awards for Fiction, Non-Fiction and Films. This was my first big documentary project, and I am thrilled that it has won accolades on the global stage. This is a huge validation of the work my team and I do at Studio9,” said Arpita Chatterjee, Head of Studio9.
“Winning something as prestigious as the Asian Television Awards and becoming the first-ever Indian documentary in the OTT category to bring this honour home is an incredible milestone. Fanatics demanded honesty, courage, and sensitivity, because it explores a world where devotion often blurs into obsession. I’m proud of how fearlessly DocuBay team pursued this narrative in collaboration with Studio9. This win validates the creative risks we took and the responsibility with which we approached the subject,” said Samar Khan, Chief Content Officer, DocuBay.
The other Studio9 team members who did outstanding work on the documentary include Director- Aryan D. Roy, Assistant Director- Debanjana Ghosh, Show-Runner- Santosh Raj, Creative Consultant- Aniruddha Chakladar, DOP- Akshay Kumar and Editor- Paras Sharma. News9’s Consulting Editor- Sudha Sadhanand provided expert guidance and support in research.
This accolade underlines TV9 Network’s commitment to quality storytelling and its investment in home-grown talent through Studio9, raising the bar for documentary filmmaking in the OTT space across Asia.
-Based on Press Release
