iWorld
Amazon acquires rights for digital premiere of 2.0
MUMBAI: Amazon announced an exclusive content deal with Lyca Productions for the digital premiere of 2.0, the Rajnikanth and Akshay Kumar-starrer mega-budget blockbuster. Prime members will have access to watch the Tamil, Telugu and Hindi versions of the much-awaited film on Prime Video. One of the most opulent projects in Indian cinema, with a reported budget of almost $ 90 million, 2.0 also marks the debut of Kumar in South Indian cinema and as the antagonist.
Commenting on the association with Lyca Productions, Amazon Prime Video director content Vijay Subramaniam said, “With this momentous deal, Amazon Prime Video further enhances its robust Bollywood and regional content library. We keep the customer at the centre of all that we do. Amazon Prime Video is happy to join hands with Lyca Productions for the exclusive streaming rights for this mega blockbuster film. Both, Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar are phenomenal actors with an unbelievable fan following that will soon get the chance to stream the sequel of Rajnikanth’s memorable movie on their favourite streaming device.”
“Making movies is my passion” said Lyca Group chairman Subaskaran Allirajah. “We are here to produce great movies. I hope these investments will take Tamil and Indian cinema to world-class standards.”
2.0 is helmed by the master of grandeur, Shankar, and is the sequel to the 2010 film Endhiran (Robot). It will see Rajnikanth reprise his role of Dr Vaseegaran and the robot Chitti. The movie, pegged as one of Asia’s costliest ventures, is also being filmed using 3D cameras directly to ensure that the film provides a grand visual experience.
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.
