iWorld
Maverick Records CEO Guy Oseary joins Saavn as investor and partner
NEW DELHI: Legendary record executive, investor, talent manager, and CEO of Maverick Records Guy Oseary is joining entertainment streaming service Saavn as a partner and investor.
Oseary’s career in the entertainment industry spans decades of achievement. At Maverick Records, he led the label to sales of over 100 million records, worldwide. His Maverick Films oversaw the Twilight movie series for a combined gross of more than $2 billion in global sales.
In addition to working with Madonna for over 25 years, Oseary works alongside some of the best managers in the music business, representing some of the world’s greatest artists, including U2, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj, Jason Aldean, Fifth Harmony, G-Eazy, and the Weeknd.
As an investor and partner in Saavn, Oseary will help the company continue to build a robust platform for streaming entertainment in India. With a foundation of more than 20 million music tracks, streaming to 196 countries in 13 languages, Saavn claimed its uniquely localized approach has established a new, effective model for international streaming entertainment.
Oseary said: “I have been a big supporter and investor in music streaming for years. Saavn is the leading music service in one of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets. Many artists would love for their music to reach India’s over one billion residents. From the time I’ve been in the music business, that process has always been too complicated; now, through Saavn, it is finally possible to have a true local partner in India that gets it, and will work hand-in-hand with artists and their managers. I’m very impressed by Rishi’s vision and his exciting plans for Saavn moving forward.”
Saavn’s disruptive business model, built around a native mobile advertising platform, fast-growing subscription base, and partnerships with leading mobile carriers, demonstrates a sustainable way forward for the streaming industry, while its original programming initiative is introducing Indian audiences to new modes of premium audio content never before heard in the country. In a region that has traditionally seen music and film consumed simultaneously, Saavn is into OTT distribution of new music and original programming for the millennial generation.
Saavn CEO and Co-founder Rishi Malhotra said: “As we continue to evolve Saavn into the first stop for streaming entertainment in India, we focus on marrying the best content with the best mobile products. Our global perspective and local approach has enabled us to create a powerful streaming economy in India. Guy and I are developing unique artist collaborations for Saavn and we’re honoured to have him as a partner and investor. Guy has incredible instincts across entertainment and media. He understands that we are not building the Spotify or Pandora of India. We are building Saavn in India, for India, and we’re thrilled to work with him to build the company for the long term.”
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
