Ekam trailer: Will OTT platforms regret missing Prakash Raj, Raj B Shetty's Kannada series?

    The upcoming Kannada web series, Ekam, explores deep cultural narratives, societal conflicts, and the practice of spirit worship, promising a gripping viewing experience.

    Ekam trailer is out.

    Ekam trailer is out.

    Kannada actor-filmmaker Rakshit Shetty has unveiled the trailer for his maiden web series, Ekam. He has bankrolled the series, which stars some of the biggest names in the Kannada film industry, including Prakash Raj and Raj B Shetty.

    "Storytelling so brutally powerful that all the boundaries known are shattered, and story alone reigns! Presenting the trailer of our web series #EKAM – a fraction of the multitude, united into one! I hope you receive it with love," said Rakshit Shetty while unveiling the trailer.

    The trailer for Ekam suggests a very rooted narrative set against the backdrop of rain-drenched coastal Karnataka. The coastal regions of Karnataka have found a lot of popularity thanks to filmmakers like Rakshit Shetty, Raj B Shetty, and of course, Rishab Shetty. These talents have mainstreamed and beautifully glorified the rich and diverse nature of the culture in the coastal regions.

    Ekam aims to build on this by telling an intense drama intertwining culture, traditions, beliefs, and human conflicts. The series seems to have packed various elements that we saw and marveled at while watching the runaway blockbuster Kantara, which made Rishab Shetty a national sensation.

    Similar to Kantara, Ekam seems to explore themes of mythology set in contemporary times. The trailer starts with a hunter delivering a killing shot with his rifle, stopping the painful moaning of a boar. His face is not filled with regret or empathy; he's just plain happy. For him, hunting is a way of life, and he practices it for his own survival. The hunter seems to face significant societal backlash and may even be treated like an outcast.

    Ekam seems to be brimming with several other conflicts, including a possible angle of caste discrimination and childhood traumas. One of the highlights of the series seems to be its deep exploration of Bhootaradhane, which means spirit worship, which gained national fame in the wake of Kantara.

    Unfortunately, Rakshit Shetty was not able to sell Ekam to any leading streaming platform for over two years. Later, he decided to release the full series by creating his own platform, ekamtheseries.com.

    The Kannada film industry has gained significant popularity, courtesy of the KGF series and Kantara. With Bhootaradhane catching the imagination of audiences across the country, the Ekam series may find great success with viewers. If it does, streaming platforms may regret missing out on it.

    Ekam will start streaming on ekamtheseries.com on July 13. Audiences can watch the full series on the platform for Rs 149.