iWorld
From studio to stage Coke Studio Bharat goes live and turns up the volume
MUMBAI: Coke Studio is switching channels from screens to streets. This January, The Coca-cola Company is set to create a first-of-its-kind cultural moment as Coke Studio Bharat makes its live, public debut with Coke Studio Bharat Live in Delhi and Guwahati.
For the first time since its launch, Coke Studio Bharat will move beyond digital drops and streaming playlists into large-scale, on-ground showcases designed for music lovers. The new Live format brings together music, food and cultural expression, allowing audiences to step directly into the world they have so far only experienced through a screen.
Positioned squarely at India’s youth, the concerts aim to turn Coke Studio Bharat from a viewing experience into a shared one. Fans will watch artists perform under one roof, immersed in the soundscapes and stories that define the platform’s folk-meets-future identity.
Coca-Cola Inswa IMX lead Shantanu Gangane said the move was a natural evolution. After seasons of organic growth, the brand saw an opportunity to take its community beyond digital and into live, high-impact moments that celebrate India’s musical heritage, Coca-Cola-style.
At its core, Coke Studio Bharat has always drawn strength from local sounds regional dialects, folk traditions and indigenous instruments blended with contemporary styles. The LIVE edition extends that mission, bridging generations by introducing Gen Z audiences to India’s musical roots through collaborations that feel current, credible and deeply connected to place.
The Delhi showcase will feature Shreya Ghoshal, Aditya Rikhari, Rashmeet Kaur, Divyam and Khwaab, offering a mix of vocal mastery, indie storytelling and experimental depth.
Guwahati will host Anuv Jain, Shankuraj Konwar, Rito Riba and Anoushka Maskey, bringing voices from the Northeast to the centre of a national cultural moment.
Artists across both cities echoed the sentiment that the Live format adds a new honesty to the music. Performing beyond the studio, they said, allows stories to breathe, connect and land differently when shared face-to-face with audiences who understand where the sound comes from.
Each performance is designed to retain its regional authenticity while travelling across geographies, reinforcing Coke Studio Bharat’s belief that India’s most powerful stories are rooted locally but resonate nationally.
More details on programming, on-ground experiences and artist-led content will be revealed closer to the concerts. For now, one thing is clear, Coke Studio Bharat is no longer just something you stream, it’s something you show up for.
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.
