iWorld
Prime Video & Bombay Film Cartel to premiere Dupahiya on 7 March
MUMBAI: Prime Video has announced the launch of its latest Indian original series Dupahiya marking the production debut of Bombay Film Cartel, the company announced today. The series will premiere on 7 March 2025 on the platform.
The first production venture from Bombay Film Cartel, founded by Shubh Shivdasani and Salona Bains Joshi, it has been scripted by writers Chirag and Avinash, who have developed what Prime Video describes as “a fresh, authentic and rooted story.”
The trailer kicks off in the fictional village of Dhadakpur—also known as the Belgium of Bihar – that is on the cusp of celebrating being crime-free for 25 years. But chaos strikes when a never-seen-before motorbike, that was purchased as a wedding gift gets stolen seven days before the ceremony! With the fate of the wedding left hanging, the journey the family and the ex-lover of the bride take to find the Dupahiya forms the heart of this comedy that deals with the hopes and aspirations of simple people.
Sonam Nair has directed the series. With a perfect blend of humour, chaos, and intrigue, the Original series is brought to life by a highly talented and versatile cast, featuring Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Bhuvan Arora, Sparsh Shrivastava, Shivani Raghuvanshi, and Yashpal Sharma in the lead roles.
Prime Video India head of Indian originals Nikhil Madhok emphasised the platform’s commitment to nurturing new talent.
“At Prime Video, we are constantly looking to back new voices and talent,” said Madhok. “Shubh and Salona have been incredible partners through this journey, and we are proud that ‘Dupahiya’ is their first production.”
Madhok praised director Sonam Nair’s execution of the series, describing it as “warm and funny.”
The collaboration between Prime Video and Bombay Film Cartel represents the streaming platform’s ongoing strategy to develop original content with emerging production houses and creative talent in India,
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.
