iWorld
nexGTv all set to claim Bengali market
MUMBAI: nexGTv, the subscription-led video entertainment app has announced expansion into the Bengali market with the acquisition of three Bengali channels – Rupashi Bangla, Dhoom Music and News Time Bangla – from Brand Value and an Oriya movie channel, Alankar TV, from Odisha Television Ltd. As a part of the initiative, nexGTv will now hold the worldwide digital rights to broadcast these channels for its users across the globe through its web and mobile platforms.
Amongst the acquired channels, Ruposhi Bangla is a general entertainment channel with shows ranging from reality to socio-mythology, feature films to news updates and from comedy to drama. Dhoom Music is a dedicated channel for Bengali music, while News Time Bangla is a popular regional news channels that delivers news on current events and latest happenings in and around the West Bengal region. Alankar TV, on the other hand, is a 24-hour Oriya movie channel from Odisha Television Network and is also the first movie genre-specific channel in Odisha.
nexGTv claims that by acquiring these channels, it underlines the commitment to deliver highly curated entertainment solutions to its users globally by augmenting its regional entertainment content library.
Speaking on the announcement, nexGTv CEO Abhesh Verma said, “We, at nexGTv, enjoy a rich, diverse consumer base both within and outside the country. As such, our endeavour has always been to curate and deliver highly relevant and popular entertainment solutions to our viewership. We are confident that the latest addition will add greater value to the mobile viewing experience of our users by granting them access to even more regional content to satisfy their entertainment needs.”
The application claims that nexGTv’s latest content acquisition will no doubt delight the expatriate population, who will now be able to view their preferred regional entertainment content at their convenience anytime, anywhere. All the channels are a part of the paid category at nexGTv, and can be accessed either through www.nexGTv.com or through the nexGTv mobile app for Android and iOS.
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.
