iWorld
Balaji Digital breaks the stream ceiling with two chartbusters in Ormax Top 50
MUMBAI: Balaji Digital has pulled off a streaming stunner. In just over a year since its OTT rebirth, two of the studio’s three original shows have stormed into Ormax Media’s Top 50 Streaming Originals in India (Jan–June 2025), cementing its digital street cred.
Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs, a regal potboiler dripping in dynastic drama and betrayal, grabbed the #17 spot with 10.4 million viewers. Not far behind, Power of Paanch, a coming-of-age campus saga with a fantastical edge, clocked 9.4 million views to land at #23. Both shows are streaming on JioHotstar, a platform rapidly becoming Balaji’s preferred playground.
“At Balaji, storytelling has always been our lifeblood, and digital is just another canvas, albeit a thrilling one,” said Balaji Telefilms Head of Digital Originals, Aparna Ramachandran. “It’s incredibly encouraging to see both Kull and Power of Paanch in the Ormax Top 50. Each of these shows was built with a deep belief in the audience’s appetite for emotionally intelligent, narratively bold content. This kind of validation tells us we’re on the right path.”
It all began in 2024 with Dus June Ki Raat, a quirky comedy-thriller that laid the foundation for Balaji’s emotionally rich, character-forward narratives. But it’s in 2025 that the brand truly hit its stride. Power of Paanch brought spunk and sorcery to college corridors, while Kull unleashed a Game of Thrones-style royal rumble, desi edition.
Reflecting on the digital landscape, Ramachandran noted, “There’s no captive audience anymore. Today’s viewer curates content based on mood, taste, and emotional relevance. We are happy to have struck a chord with specific segments and look forward to building more powerful stories from here.”
Under Ekta Kapoor’s watchful eye and Ramachandran’s digital leadership, Balaji Digital is now eyeing bigger games, genre-benders, deeper platform partnerships, and stories that slice through the clutter.
“The pressure on creators today is real, but it’s also an opportunity,” added Ramachandran. “We’re building a space where fresh voices, morally complex characters, and unconventional genres can thrive. The aim is simple: break moulds and stir conversation.”
(If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)
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.
