iWorld
Ready Player Me partners with blockchain-based video streaming service Mzaalo
Mumbai: Leading avatar creation platform Ready Player Me has announced a collaboration with blockchain-based video streaming service Mzaalo.
Following this partnership, Mzaalo will offer a special series of Ready Player Me avatars based on selected IP from iconic movies on the platform to all users across its iOS and Android apps.
Launched by Xfinite, Mzaalo is a new video on-demand service which used Ready Player Me avatars earlier this year to promote the motion picture release of ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’. Rewarding users with Mzaalo coins which are exclusive to the platform, in return for watching movies, the company plans to give users access to an even wider range of customization assets that will become unlockable for avatars using the in-app currency.
Talking about the partnership with Ready Play Me Xfinite COO Vikram Tanna commented, “Digital avatars are a stepping stone to the metaverse revolution. We constantly strive to deliver immersive experiences to Mzaalo users, and our partnership with Ready Player Me enables us to take our gamified entertainment ecosystem to the next level. Mzaalo and Ready Player Me are powered by cutting-edge technology, and we are confident that this innovative collaboration will enhance user experiences for both platforms.
Speaking on this collaboration Ready Player Me CEO Timmu Toke said, “We are delighted to be bringing avatars from Ready Player Me to Mzaalo. With such a great blend of interactivity, gamification and entertainment, we feel this is the perfect partnership and will help our avatars reach a larger audience than ever before. This is our next step in connecting like-minded companies to the metaverse. We have more developments on the horizon and are excited to share what’s in the pipeline very soon.”
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.
