Studio9, the in-house production arm of TV9 Network, has created history by bringing home India’s first-ever win in the OTT documentary programme category at the 30th Asian Television Awards 2025 held in Singapore.

The landmark achievement comes through its documentary Fanatics, commissioned by DocuBay, which clinched the award amid strong competition from six other nominees across Asia.

According to a press release, Fanatics stands out for its gripping exploration of the intense, emotional and at times extreme fan culture surrounding South Indian cinema. The 55-minute documentary examines the deep-rooted devotion that fuels this world, portraying it not merely as admiration but as a form of reverence where fans worship their stars, build temples, and celebrate releases like festivals.

The documentary features candid insights from leading actors Kichcha Sudeep, Allu Arjun and Vijay Sethupathi, along with views from industry experts, mental health professionals, and film historians. It also brings to light the darker shades of fandom—rivalries among groups, instances of violence, and the psychological weight of unrestrained devotion. Stories like that of a young fan who found healing through Allu Arjun after facing stigma over a cleft palate add emotional depth to the narrative.

Speaking on the win, Aditya Pittie, Managing Director, The EPIC Company, said, “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.”

Barun Das, MD & CEO of TV9 Network, added, “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.”

Arpita Chatterjee, Head of Studio9, said the documentary demanded honesty and sensitivity. “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.”

Echoing this sentiment, DocuBay’s Chief Content Officer, Samar Khan, noted, “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. This win validates the creative risks we took and the responsibility with which we approached the subject.”

The documentary’s core team includes Director Aryan D. Roy, Assistant Director Debanjana Ghosh, Showrunner Santosh Raj, Creative Consultant Aniruddha Chakladar, DOP Akshay Kumar, and Editor Paras Sharma. News9’s Consulting Editor Sudha Sadhanand provided research guidance throughout the project.

This milestone strengthens TV9 Network’s commitment to quality storytelling and signals a powerful step forward for Indian nonfiction content on the global stage, particularly in the rapidly expanding OTT documentary landscape across Asia.