iWorld
ALTBalaji to launch its first Tamil show ‘Maya Thirrai’
MUMBAI: ALTBalaji has announced the release of its first Tamil show- Maya Thirrai, with its 16 episodes available on ALTBalaji platform. To mark ALTBalaji’s entry into Tamil regional entertainment space, Ekta Kapoor brought together distinguished team of director Kaushik Narasimhan and producer Kutty Padmini.
Maya Thirrai, which means illusions, is a mysterious tale of a woman named Sandhya, tangled in her own reality. Despite having everything, she always felt a void and finally after years of waiting, she bumps into the handsome Prakash, who comes with a promise of all she ever wanted, but her picture-perfect marriage was nothing but just an illusion.
Alt Balaji CEO Nachiket Pantvaidya said, “With the expansion of internet and smartphones, the way audience consumes entertainment has changed drastically. ALTBalaji is targeting urban masses in over 60 cities, reaching out to about 75 million people via our app. The online entertainment option available to this section is either to watch non-Indian English or Hindi shows. There is definitely a gap here and a huge potential which could be tapped with our exclusive regional shows. ALTBalaji aims to penetrate into deeper pockets of Indian market through regional shows hence, 25% of our shows will be in non- Hindi languages including Tamil, Bengali, Punjabi, Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi etc. Maya Thirrai is our first step in this direction and we are confident that the audience will be thoroughly entertained by it.”
Producer Kutty Padmini adds, “I am glad to bring Maya Thirrai to the Tamil audience, it is gripping and has great surprise elements. Digital shows are future of entertainment, hence the show is very special and marks an important move for us. Collaborating with Ekta Kapoor has been a great experience, it’s gratifying to see how our vision has transformed so beautifully on the canvas. I am hopeful that our audience will love the show.”
On his digital debut and association with Ekta Kapoor, Kaushik Narasimhan said, “Digital is the core focus of the entertainment industry today and I am glad to be venturing into this space with, who better than ALTBalaji. As a director, I am always on the lookout for fresh and creative storyline and Maya Thirrai is such addition. The plot is very exciting and each episode will surely get the audience stunned and looking for more.”
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.
