iWorld
Disney+ Hotstar to stream its first Telugu original ‘Parampara’
Mumbai: Disney+ Hotstar has announced that its first Telugu Hotstar Special “Parampara” will begin streaming on 24 December. The platform dropped a trailer for the new show on Wednesday.
Written by Hari Yelleti and directed by Krishna Vijay L and Viswanath Arigela, the show features a stellar cast including Naveen Chandra, Ishan, Aakanksha Singh and others. The show is led by Jagapathi Babu and Sarath Kumar. The series is backed by Baahubali producers Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni of Arka Mediaworks Production.
“‘Parampara’ is a drama that is based on the power ambitions of its characters,” said director Krishna Vijay L. “The audience will be treated to a power drama that packs emotions, actions and an enticing story that will keep them hooked on to the series.”
“I am honoured to mark my digital web series debut with Parampara and the waves it is expected to create for Telugu digital entertainment space,” said veteran actor Sarath Kumar. “My role as a powerful business tycoon has multiple layers that have been masterfully maneuvered through Krishna Vijay L’s direction. As an actor working on a web series for the first time, there are certain transitions that need to be done and it was a journey filled with excitement and exploration about my acting process. I hope ‘Parampara’ finds resonance with the audience.”
“‘Parampara’ has a very unique story to tell. Through the series, the audience will enjoy a roller coaster ride of power tussles, deception and family infightings,” said actor Jagapathi Babu. “For my character Mohan Rao, there is a silent intensity to the way he walks, moves and talks that is very captivating. The entire build-up of the character had several learnings for me both as an actor and human. I had a lot of fun playing Mohan Rao and I hope that comes through in the series as well.”
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.
