iWorld
OTTplay goes full Thalaivar as 12 December becomes Rajinikanth Day
MUMBAI: When the calendar hits 12/12 and millions instinctively look skyward, it can mean only one thing, it’s Thalaivar time. OTTplay has now made that instinct official, declaring 12 December as “Rajinikanth Day” every year, beginning with a blockbuster tribute to mark the Superstar’s 75th birthday.
The celebrations kicked off with a striking full-page homage in Hindustan Times, headlined “12/12 Happy Rajinikanth Day”, a bold salute to a phenomenon who has ruled single screens, satellites and streaming alike for five decades. The creative captures the unmatched aura of a man whose impact transcends borders, languages and generations; a star who inspired whistles in cinema halls, swagger in the streets and courage in countless hearts.
But the print tribute is only the opening act. OTTplay India’s leading OTT aggregation platform that curates content from 30 plus streaming services under a single subscription has rolled out a full-scale digital and social campaign urging fans to binge their way through Rajinikanth’s legendary career. From Baashha to Muthu, Kabali to Petta, viewers can rediscover his milestones across partner platforms including SunNXT, JioHotstar and Z5.
Speaking on the initiative, OTTplay CEO Avinash Mudaliar said, “Rajinikanth is not just a superstar. He is a feeling, a memory and a part of growing up for millions. This tribute is our way of saying thank you to the man who still unites families and generations like no one else. Through OTTplay, we want every fan from those who watched him on grainy prints to today’s streaming natives to relive his journey.”
With this campaign, OTTplay blends nostalgia, fandom and discovery into one seamless celebration ensuring that on 12 December and beyond, the legend of Rajinikanth continues not just to be remembered, but re-experienced.
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.
