iWorld
ALTBalaji claims its exclusive content has global reach, regional shows in pipeline
MUMBAI: ALTBalaji, the digital platform of Balaji Telefilms which launched on 16th April 2017, now has an audience in over 70 countries with 10 days of the service going live. ALTBalaji was made available globally and the shows have found an audience not just with the South Asian Diaspora but also with regions where Indian entertainment content has been popular.
The countries include US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Far East and UAE which have large pockets of Indian communities and places like Suriname, Curaco, Armenia, Ghana, Kyrgystan and Aruba which have PIOs in significant numbers.
ALTBalaji’s launch line up of shows include Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat -starring Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar, in a story of two opposite attracts, DevDD -a show depicting a female Devdas who is wilder than the imagination, Boygiri – a tale about 6 men who refuse to grow up, Bewafaa Sii Wafaa- a show on married couple finding their soulmates after marriage and Romil and Jugal- a passionate tale of Romeo and Juliet with a twist. These original stories have been lapped up by the audiences that have been starved of well-made and interesting stories.
ALT Digital Media Entertainment CEO Nachiket Pantvaidya said – “We have created a platform for original and exclusive Indian content that fills the gap between what Indian TV shows and Western shows have to offer. We are showcasing original and exclusive content in languages like Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil and Gujarati that will appeal to a broad spectrum of South Asian audiences globally and we are happy to discover that even non-Indian audiences subscribed to our shows and are enjoying them.”
ALTBalaji will release new shows every fortnight for its viewers to binge watch. The content is created by some of the best talent of the Indian entertainment industry, including critically acclaimed directors and actors.
The long illustrious list of artistes comprises of Nagesh Kukunoor, Juhi Chawla, Nimrat Kaur, Rajkumar Rao, Hansal Mehta, Sakshi Tanwar, Ram Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, Sameer Soni, Yudhishtar Urs, Dipannita Sharma Atwal, and more.
ALTBalaji’s 250+ hours of original and exclusive content offer a wide range of genres; the package has something for every viewer.
Shows in regional language are also in pipeline for the platform, Maya Thirrai- a Tamil thriller drama will soon be available to viewers. ALTBalaji offers an extensive range of shows in various languages and genres to all age groups and regions, both in India and abroad.
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.
