Raakh Stars Shine With IMDb STARmeter Awards

The crime drama Raakh continues to dominate conversations, and now it has delivered a major career breakthrough for its two leading actors. IMDb has honored Akash Makhija and Ramandeep Yadav with its prestigious “Breakout Star” STARmeter Awards, recognizing their soaring popularity among audiences worldwide.

More importantly, the recognition marks a historic personal achievement for both actors, as these are the first acting awards of their careers.

IMDb Recognition Highlights Raakh‘s Growing Impact

IMDb’s STARmeter Awards are presented to performers who generate significant attention on the platform’s Popular Indian Celebrities list. The rankings are based on page views from IMDb’s more than 250 million monthly visitors across the globe.

Over the years, the list has earned a reputation for identifying actors just before they reach major career milestones. As a result, receiving a STARmeter Award is often viewed as a strong indicator of rising stardom.

Following the release of Raakh, Akash Makhija surged to the No. 1 position on the Popular Indian Celebrities list. Meanwhile, Ramandeep Yadav secured the No. 4 spot, demonstrating the immense audience interest generated by their performances.

Raakh Emerges as One of the Year’s Biggest Crime Dramas

Beyond the success of its cast, Raakh itself has become a significant talking point among viewers.

Inspired by the infamous 1978 Ranga-Billa kidnapping case in New Delhi, the crime thriller has captivated audiences with its gripping storytelling and intense performances. Consequently, the series has earned widespread praise from viewers and critics alike.

The show currently holds an impressive IMDb user rating of 7.6 out of 10. Furthermore, it has climbed to No. 19 on IMDb’s global Most Popular TV Shows list, making it the only Indian series currently featured on the ranking.

Akash Makhija’s Journey: From Rejection to Recognition

For Akash Makhija, the award represents years of perseverance finally paying off.

Although he is now being celebrated for his performance, his path to Raakh was far from smooth. Initially, Makhija auditioned alongside 14 other actors for the role. However, after the first round, he was informed that he had not been selected.

Fortunately, circumstances changed.

Soon afterward, he received an unexpected call for another audition round. This second opportunity ultimately led to him landing the role that would transform his career.

Reflecting on the award, Makhija described it as a special milestone in his 13-year acting journey. He also expressed gratitude to fans whose reactions helped elevate both his performance and the series itself.

Audience Reactions Made the Achievement Even More Meaningful

Interestingly, Makhija revealed that his portrayal generated strong reactions from viewers, including numerous hate messages directed at his character.

Rather than viewing those responses negatively, he interpreted them as proof that his performance had left a lasting impression.

Moreover, reaching the No. 1 spot on IMDb’s Popular Indian Celebrities list within days of the show’s release exceeded even his own expectations. Therefore, the recognition has become one of the proudest moments of his professional life.

Ramandeep Yadav Calls the Honor “Surreal”

Meanwhile, Ramandeep Yadav described receiving the IMDb STARmeter Award as a surreal experience.

Since the recognition is driven directly by audience engagement, the actor believes it carries even greater significance. After all, every performer hopes that their work will connect deeply with viewers.

Additionally, Yadav expressed gratitude to audiences who invested their time and emotions in Raakh, helping turn the series into one of the most discussed crime dramas of the year.

An Unconventional Approach to Preparing for Rajjo

When preparing for his role, Yadav adopted a unique strategy.

Instead of studying specific criminals, he focused on researching the psychology of serial killers. During that process, one particular detail consistently captured his attention—their eyes.

According to Yadav, many notorious killers possessed a gaze that felt both brutal and menacing. Consequently, he incorporated that unsettling quality into his own performance to create a more authentic and disturbing screen presence.

At the same time, he emphasized that the creators of Raakh never intended to glorify the criminals depicted in the story.

A Story Rooted in Human Tragedy

Rather than focusing solely on the perpetrators, Raakh highlights the immense pain experienced by families who lost their children.

Because of this emotional foundation, the story resonated deeply with Yadav. In fact, he admitted that reading the script for the first time brought him to tears.

As a result, his performance was shaped not only by research but also by an emotional connection to the victims’ experiences and the broader human tragedy at the heart of the narrative.

Joining an Exclusive Group of Co-Star Winners

The achievement carries significance beyond individual success.

Notably, this is only the second time IMDb has presented its Breakout Star STARmeter Awards to co-stars from the same Indian title. Previously, Saiyaara stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda received the honor in 2025.

Consequently, Makhija and Yadav now join a very exclusive group of performers recognized together for their breakout success.

Following in the Footsteps of Acclaimed Talent

Over the years, IMDb’s Breakout Star Awards have been awarded to several actors who later achieved widespread acclaim.

The list includes notable names such as Adarsh Gourav, Sharvari, Kani Kusruti, Monika Panwar, Zahan Kapoor, Nitanshi Goel, and Ambrish Verma.

Therefore, the recognition places both Raakh stars among a growing roster of performers widely regarded as the next generation of entertainment industry talent.

What Lies Ahead for the Raakh Stars?

With Raakh continuing to attract attention and praise, industry observers are already speculating about what comes next for its breakout stars.

Their performances have not only earned audience appreciation but have also established them as actors capable of carrying complex and challenging roles.

For now, the IMDb STARmeter Awards stand as a remarkable milestone. However, given the momentum behind both performers, they may simply be the beginning of a much larger journey.

As Raakh continues to resonate with audiences, Akash Makhija and Ramandeep Yadav have proven that a single standout performance can change the course of a career—and this appears to be only the start.