iWorld
Nippon TV secures their first format deals in Malaysia
Mumbai: Japan’s multiplatform entertainment powerhouse – Nippon TV has announced that they have finalised a deal with Astro, Malaysia’s content and entertainment company which has acquired the rights to Nippon TV’s award-winning scripted formats Love’s In Sight! (60 min. eps.) and Homeroom (60 min. eps.). Juita Viden, one of Malaysia’s largest independent distributors of local and international content, brokered the Malaysian adaptation deal for both formats. Astro is set to air the Malay-language version of Love’s In Sight! (Dari Mata Turun ke Hati in Malaysia) starting 12 August and Homeroom (Kelas Tahanan Cikgu Hiragi in Malaysia) to follow. The announcement has been made by Nippon TV’s format licensing and content business – Sally Yamamoto.
Astro vice president of Malay, international, kids & on-demand Azlin Reza Azmi said, “We are very excited to partner with Nippon TV to bring two award-winning Japanese scripted series to our Malaysian audience. Astro is constantly looking to create content based on rich characters and stories to exceed our customers’ growing expectations of compelling storytelling at high production values. This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing high-quality entertainment to our customers. The upcoming series, Dari Mata Turun ke Hati and Kelas Tahanan Cikgu Hiragi are adaptations of the hit series and will retain the core elements that have made them successful in Japan, with a local twist to resonate with our Malaysian audience. With the localization of these series featuring fresh and prominent local talents, we aim to keep our customers engaged with more ways to watch celebrated worldwide series through relevant local context, expressions, and creativity.”
“We are delighted to be announcing two first-time format deals in Malaysia for Love’s In Sight! as well as Homeroom, thanks to the enthusiasm of our partners in Malaysia, Astro – which have shared our passion for these exciting adaptations,” commented Yamamoto. “Love’s In Sight!, based on a hit manga, vividly depicts the lives of social minorities and is full of love, laughter, and emotional moments. Homeroom, already adapted in Turkey and Thailand, is set to provoke thoughtful discussions among the Malaysian audience. With Mother now adapted in eight countries, Nippon TV will keep committing to share unique stories to the global content landscape.”
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.
