iWorld
MX Player announces four new regional originals
MUMBAI: Staying true to its philosophy of ‘Everytainment’ and continuing its focus on the regional markets, MX Player has announced four new Originals across languages and genres. With the two Telugu and two Marathi MX Originals, the platform is bringing entertaining and relatable shows with some of the best talent in the industry.
Foraying into the Telugu market for the first time ever, MX Player adds a new language to its multiple range of offerings with the launch of the two Telugu MX Original Series’ that went live on 13 September. ‘Beyond Breakups’ and ‘Kalaham Madhuram’ introduce you to unique love stories that hit a break and further welcome you to the world of breakups.
Additionally, the platform continues its foray in the Marathi market after the success of Aani Kay Have and adds two new Marathi series’ to its portfolio with ‘Pandu’ and ‘Once A Year’ that went live on 20 September. Both these slice of life dramas are in the comedy space with Pandu being a fun take on the everyday life of the Mumbai Police while the other series is a rom com.
“Regional markets are among the largest growth drivers for MX Player, and we’re focused on bringing a wider range of premium regional content on our platform. There’s also significant untapped potential for content creators to cater to the under-served audience in these markets, and with our new regional originals, we are doing our best to bring Indian audiences’ quality digital-first content in their native language,” MX Player CEO Karan Bedi said.
About the Series’:
‘Beyond Breakup’ talks about how a couple, Varun (a Software Engineer) and Shanti (a baker) who are in their mid-twenties and are very much in love. However, their happy go lucky relationship takes a toll when Varun out of now where comes up with a weird concept called “The Breakup Agreement”.
On the other hand, ‘Kalaham Madhuram’ which also means ‘a fight is sweet’ is an anthology of different breakup stories set against the backdrop of different scenarios. The five episodic series features new couples in each episode and dives into the various reasons and rationales behind breakups.
‘Pandu’ is directed by Anusha Nanda Kumar & Sarang Sathaye and stars Suhas Sirsat & Deepak Shirke. This funny, dramatic and witty series is based on the life of the policemen and women – the brave hearts who stand tall to keep the city safe and is sure to keep you in splits.
Adding a twist of romance and love, the other series is titled ‘Once A Year’. Directed by Mandar Kurundar, this 6 episodic series stars Mrinmayee Goldbole & Nipun Dharmadhikari that follows the romantic journey of a couple over a course of six years. Starting from their days in college to beyond, this rom com captures the true essence of friendship, love and togetherness. Both of the Marathi series will go live on 20 September.
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.
