iWorld
GoQuest Media and Wowow strike a deal for ‘Traitor’
Mumbai: Global independent content distributor GoQuest Media has struck a deal for the Estonian espionage drama ‘Traitor’.
Japanese broadcaster Wowow has acquired the spy thriller for its LinearTV and On-Demand streaming service. The award-winning series is directed by Ergo Kuld, and produced by multi service provider Elisa Estonia and Estonian public broadcaster ERR. It is written by playwright and screenwriter Martin Algus, who was awarded the ‘Best Screenwriter Award’ at Estonian Film and Television Awards 2019.
The thrilling series stars Tambet Tuisk, who was also won the ‘Best Actor Award’ for ‘Traitor’ at the Estonian Film and Television Awards 2020
Inspired by recent spy scandals in Estonia, ‘Traitor’ is a thriller which begins in 2004 just before Estonia joined Nato and became a top target for Russian intelligence. Greed and the need for recognition leads new recruit Alfred Vint (Tambet Tuisk) to cooperate with Russian intelligence, leading to a thrilling cat-and-mouse game with determined young Estonian counter-intelligence officer Marko Arrak (Veiko Porkanen) as they navigate the challenges faced in their personal lives.
Wowow acquisition manager Chinatsu Otsuki said, “We are very excited to close the first deal with GoQuest Media. ‘Traitor’ is a superb spy thriller, and the story is very twisted. Our viewers love to watch ‘rewarding good and punishing evil’. However, we all know that reality is a lot more different from what is portrayed in fictional drama. This Estonian spy drama is very realistic in a way that is inspired by true events”.
ERR head of programs Marje Tõemäe said, “We are very happy that stories which are based on our history and connect with our viewers are also relevant for other audiences all over the world.”
GoQuest Media managing director Vivek Lath said that he was delighted that ‘Traitor’ will make its debut in Asia, and he couldn’t have asked for a better launchpad than Wowow. “As Japanese audiences watch the unravelling of a brutal but charming government servant who will betray everyone, including his country, to amass power and wealth, we promise that this compelling spy scandal drama may leave them shaken, but they won’t stop watching,” he added.
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.
