Jaya Janaki Nayaka becomes YouTube's highest-watched Indian film ever
Synopsis
Nearly eight years after its theatrical release, Boyapati Srinu's 2017 Telugu actioner 'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' has crossed a remarkable threshold — becoming the highest-watched Indian film in YouTube history. Rakul Preet Singh's emotional tribute to the film and her character Janaki highlights just how deeply the film has resonated with audiences long after the credits rolled.
Key Takeaways
'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' (2017) has become the highest-watched Indian film ever on YouTube .
Rakul Preet Singh shared a heartfelt social media post thanking fans and director Boyapati Srinu for the milestone.
The film, produced by Miryala Ravinder Reddy under Dwaraka Creations , released in cinemas on 11 August 2017 .
Music was composed by Devi Sri Prasad ; the film stars Bellamkonda Sreenivas and Rakul Preet Singh in lead roles.
Rakul is next set to play Surpanakha in Nitesh Tiwari 's mythological epic 'Ramayana' , alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi .
Actress Rakul Preet Singh has expressed heartfelt gratitude after her 2017 Telugu romantic actioner 'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' achieved a landmark milestone — becoming the highest-watched Indian film ever on YouTube. The actress took to social media to share her emotions and thank fans for the outpouring of love.
What Rakul Said
In her social media post, Rakul reflected on the enduring bond she shares with her character. 'Some characters stay with you forever, and Janaki will always be one of them. Thank you for all the love you've shown and for making Jaya Janaki Nayaka the highest-watched Indian film on YouTube ever. This is a special feat,' she wrote.
She also extended a special acknowledgement to director Boyapati Srinu, saying: 'A special thank you to @boyapatisrinu_official sir and the entire team for this unforgettable journey.'
About the Film
Directed by Boyapati Srinu and produced by Miryala Ravinder Reddy under the banner of Dwaraka Creations, 'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' released in cinemas on 11 August 2017. The film stars Bellamkonda Sreenivas and Rakul Preet Singh in the lead roles, with a supporting cast that includes Jagapathi Babu, Tarun Arora, Pragya Jaiswal, Sarath Kumar, Nandu, Suman, Jayaprakash, and Vani Viswanath.
The film's music was composed by celebrated composer Devi Sri Prasad, with cinematography by Rishi Punjabi and editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao. Nearly eight years after its theatrical run, the film's YouTube viewership has now surpassed every other Indian film on the platform — a testament to its sustained popularity among Telugu cinema fans.
Why This Milestone Matters
Topping YouTube's all-time Indian film viewership chart is no small feat, given the platform hosts thousands of full-length Indian films across languages. The achievement underscores the reach of Telugu cinema beyond traditional theatrical windows and the growing role of free streaming platforms in giving older titles a second — and sometimes bigger — life. Notably, this milestone arrives during a period when the Telugu film industry continues to command national and global attention.
What's Next for Rakul
Looking ahead, Rakul Preet Singh is set to appear in director Nitesh Tiwari's highly anticipated mythological epic 'Ramayana', where she will portray the role of Surpanakha. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Mata Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. The project is backed by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and VFX studio DNEG, in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations.
Point of View
Which has been asserting pan-India cultural dominance since the RRR era, this is further evidence that its audience base extends well beyond Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The more interesting question is what this means for how producers and distributors value YouTube rights going forward — a rights window that has historically been underpriced.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record has 'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' achieved on YouTube?
'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' has become the highest-watched Indian film ever on YouTube, surpassing all other Indian films on the platform. The 2017 Telugu romantic actioner achieved this milestone nearly eight years after its theatrical release.
Who directed 'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' and who are the lead actors?
The film was directed by Boyapati Srinu and stars Bellamkonda Sreenivas and Rakul Preet Singh in the lead roles. It was produced by Miryala Ravinder Reddy under the banner of Dwaraka Creations.
What did Rakul Preet Singh say about the YouTube milestone?
Rakul posted on social media that 'Some characters stay with you forever, and Janaki will always be one of them,' and thanked fans for making the film the highest-watched Indian film on YouTube ever. She also gave a special shout-out to director Boyapati Srinu and the entire team.
When was 'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' released in cinemas?
'Jaya Janaki Nayaka' released in cinemas on 11 August 2017. Its YouTube viewership milestone comes nearly eight years after its original theatrical run.
What is Rakul Preet Singh's next big project?
Rakul Preet Singh is set to play Surpanakha in Nitesh Tiwari's mythological epic 'Ramayana', which also stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Mata Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.
