iWorld
ALTBalaji partners with Telenet to expand footprint to Nepal
Mumbai: In a bid to expand its reach beyond India, ALTBalaji has entered into a partnership with Telenet Pvt Ltd for promotion and distribution services in Nepal. The partnership aims to unlock a new demographic for the OTT player in the neighbouring country.
Telenet Pvt Ltd, a local company in the region is an authorised distributor-reseller of ALTBalaji app subscription. Within a single subscription, users can create five profiles and access the content across mobile devices and laptops, as well as smart TV and android boxes for the big screen experience. “OTT platforms are the next wave of entertainment. Our strategy to provide uninterrupted access to users via various business models will ensure a new dimension in collaboration for Nepal market while ALTBalaji will ensure high quality engaging content stream for the Nepali viewers,” said Telenet CEO Navankur Sood.
Telenet will ensure integration across local billing channels like digital wallets, telecom operators and payment gateways, allowing users to activate ALTBalaji’s subscription from the comfort of their homes. In addition, all users in Nepal can visit the website www.gfsarena.com to activate the subscription or renew the service instantly. Payment can be made through digital wallets like eSewa, IME Pay and Khalti, said the statement.
“The partnership with Telenet Pvt Ltd is a major step for ALTBalaji to go global,” said ALTBalaji SVP – marketing and revenue Divya Dixit. “ALTBalaji constantly strives to make the platform as user-friendly as possible, and this partnership will draw in more audience for our blockbuster content. Tie-ups with the payment gateways will further widen the reach of the platform due to the convenience of one-click transactions that were earlier not possible.”
iWorld
Samay Raina confirms return of India’s Got Latent after controversy
Still Alive mixes humour and reflection as comedian revisits 2025 row
MUMBAI: Samay Raina has signalled a possible return of his controversial show India’s Got Latent, using his latest stand-up special Still Alive to address the past and hint at what lies ahead.
Released on YouTube, the special marks Raina’s most candid take yet on the backlash that forced the show off air in 2025. While much of the performance leans on humour, it also dips into more reflective territory, offering a glimpse into the emotional toll of the controversy.
Recounting the fallout, YouTube comedian samay raina said, “We were both extremely unsettled. How would we navigate this? It was terrifying. We were lost as to what was happening.” He also spoke about a moment involving fellow comedian Balraj Ghai’s family, describing it as overwhelming and difficult to process.
The personal impact of the episode came through most strongly when Raina spoke about his family. He admitted he struggled to even answer a call from his mother during the crisis. YouTube comedian samay raina said, “I hesitated to answer her call and show my tear-streaked face. How would she react? My mom is unaware of anything except how to love.”
Amid the introspection, Raina also dropped a clear hint about the future of his show. While he believes the first season ended on a high note, he confirmed that he intends to revive it. YouTube comedian samay raina said, “I will bring back the show because it used to be fun making it.”
The original run of India’s Got Latent had been pulled down following widespread criticism and legal scrutiny over controversial remarks that went viral, prompting debates around content boundaries in India’s digital entertainment space. Raina later removed episodes and issued an apology, stepping back from major releases for a period.
His return now appears more measured, blending humour with reflection and signalling a creative reset. He also hinted that the next iteration of the show could be more raw and unfiltered, though details remain under wraps.
For fans, the takeaway is simple. The show that sparked both laughter and debate may be gearing up for a second act, with Raina ready to test the limits once again, this time with a sharper sense of where the lines lie.
