iWorld
SonyLiv’s & Indian Magic Eye’s Lampan triumphs at IFFI 2024
MUMBAI: There were five of them in contention, but Marathi series Lampan finally bagged the best OTT series award (we at Indiantelevision.com refuse to use the term web series for reasons best known to all) at the International Film Festival of India in Goa on 28 November 2024. Produced by Shrirang Godbole and Hrishikesh Deshpande of Indian Magic Eye, the series airs on SonyLiv.
The best series award was received by the jubilant team of Lampan including a beaming SonyLiv programming commissioner and head of content Saugata Muherjee, Shrirang Godbole, and its cast and crew. The award also entails a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh which is to be shared between the producers and SonyLiv.
A jury consisting of Madhur Bhandarkar, Krishna Hebbale, Harish Shankar and Rupali Ganguly went through a difficult process of adjudicating the winner amongst the five finalists which included: Kotta Factory (TVF, Netflix), Kaala Paani (Posham Pa Pictures, Netflix), Ayali (Estrella Stories, Zee5), Jubliee (Andolan Films with Reliance and Phantom Studios, Amazon Prime Video).
However, Lampan (set in rural India) which explores the emotional and social struggles of a young boy navigating his identity within the complex dynamics of his community came out on top for its remarkable storytelling, high production values, and exceptional performances.
The series directed by Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari is based on stories written by Prakash Narayan Sant. It stars Chandrakant Kulkarni, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Mihir Godbole, Kadambari Kadam, Pushkaraj Chirputkar and Avani Bhave. The writer of the show is Chinmay Kelkar.
iWorld
Samay Raina confirms return of India’s Got Latent after controversy
Still Alive mixes humour and reflection as comedian revisits 2025 row
MUMBAI: Samay Raina has signalled a possible return of his controversial show India’s Got Latent, using his latest stand-up special Still Alive to address the past and hint at what lies ahead.
Released on YouTube, the special marks Raina’s most candid take yet on the backlash that forced the show off air in 2025. While much of the performance leans on humour, it also dips into more reflective territory, offering a glimpse into the emotional toll of the controversy.
Recounting the fallout, YouTube comedian samay raina said, “We were both extremely unsettled. How would we navigate this? It was terrifying. We were lost as to what was happening.” He also spoke about a moment involving fellow comedian Balraj Ghai’s family, describing it as overwhelming and difficult to process.
The personal impact of the episode came through most strongly when Raina spoke about his family. He admitted he struggled to even answer a call from his mother during the crisis. YouTube comedian samay raina said, “I hesitated to answer her call and show my tear-streaked face. How would she react? My mom is unaware of anything except how to love.”
Amid the introspection, Raina also dropped a clear hint about the future of his show. While he believes the first season ended on a high note, he confirmed that he intends to revive it. YouTube comedian samay raina said, “I will bring back the show because it used to be fun making it.”
The original run of India’s Got Latent had been pulled down following widespread criticism and legal scrutiny over controversial remarks that went viral, prompting debates around content boundaries in India’s digital entertainment space. Raina later removed episodes and issued an apology, stepping back from major releases for a period.
His return now appears more measured, blending humour with reflection and signalling a creative reset. He also hinted that the next iteration of the show could be more raw and unfiltered, though details remain under wraps.
For fans, the takeaway is simple. The show that sparked both laughter and debate may be gearing up for a second act, with Raina ready to test the limits once again, this time with a sharper sense of where the lines lie.
