iWorld
ZEE5 launches ‘Sex, Drugs & Theatre’
MUMBAI: After announcing a power packed line-up of 72 Originals across 6 languages (till March 2020) at its first anniversary, ZEE5 launched its high voltage Original ‘Sex, Drugs & Theatre’ at an event in Pune. With an aim to strengthen its Marathi Originals library, on the back of a phenomenal response to earlier content including Date With Saie, Liftman and Veergati; ZEE5’s latest 10-episode web series premiered on 5th March 2019.
Created by National Award-winning film-maker, Sujay Dahake, the show features Parvin Tarde, Sunil Barve, Adish Vaidya, Mitali Mayekar, Suyash Zunjurke, Shalva Kinjwadekar, Nayannah Mukey, Abhishek Deshmukh and also Sujay Dahake who will be seen playing a crucial role. ‘Sex, Drugs and Theatre’ delves into the drama format of storytelling and is a representation of theatre in a cinematic way. The series narrates the journey of six college students who are made to work on a prestigious drama competition that completely changes their lives.
Series Creator and Director Sujay Dahake, said, “Theatre is one of the oldest forms of performing arts and this show brings together art along with budding artists of the industry in a seamless manner. With a robust script and relatable dynamics, the show is certain to hook the audience and give a spin to digital storytelling for the Marathi audience. It has been a pleasure to work with the ZEE5 team who gave us the right platform that we needed to tell our story.”
Commenting on the launch, Manish Aggarwal, Business Head, ZEE5 India said, “Since our launch last year, we have consistently provided content on the platform that is relatable, edgy and something that viewers keep coming back to the platform for. Sex, Drugs & Theatre is one such example. It has a contemporary theme that will reverberate among today’s youth. It is a cool, youthful, vibrant show, something quite different from what the audience has seen so far. It is sure to set an industry benchmark.”
Aparna Acharekar, Programming Head, ZEE5 India said, “Working with Sujay has been a wonderful experience. His keen sense of storytelling and pulse on the audience preferences will reflect in the success that the show is sure to garner.”
With over 3500 films, 500+ TV shows, 4000+ music videos, 35+ theatre plays and 90+ LIVE TV Channels across 12 languages, ZEE5 truly presents a blend of unrivalled content offering for its viewers across the nation. With ZEE5, the global content of Zindagi as a brand, which was widely appreciated across the country, has also been brought back for its loyal viewers.
Availability: The ZEE5 App can be downloaded from Google Play Store http://bit.ly/zee5 and iOS App Store http://bit.ly/zee5ios. Also available at www.zee5.com, as a Progressive Web App (PWA), and on Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick. ZEE5 also supports Chromecast.
Pricing: Freemium pricing model with both free and paid premium content (including Originals) to cater to a mix of audiences. Viewers who subscribe to the ZEE5 subscription pack will get access to the entire library of content with – 99/- for 1 month and 999/- for a year. Subscribers can avail a 50% cashback on the above-mentioned price by paying through Paytm.
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.
