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Sukesh Motwani on creating ‘The Gone Game’ during the pandemic
MUMBAI: Voot’s upcoming series The Gone Game explores how the spread of Covid2019, besides its health ramifications, has taken an emotional toll on people’s lives. The series is produced by Bodhi Tree Multimedia co-founder Sukesh Motwani, Mautik Tolia and creative producer Persis Siganporia. The series is directed by Nikhil Nagesh. The Gone Game is a thriller based on a family whose morale gets shaken when the main protagonist tests positive for Covid2019. This, in turn, sets the wheel churning for some dramatic and thrilling turn of events for the family.
The thought of a potential crime with the backdrop of the pandemic in a large dysfunctional family is what got Motwani’s imagination running. His biggest priority was to maintain the quality of the show. He adds that the production house was deeply involved in almost all aspects of production and spent hours brainstorming on how to ensure that the audience does not feel that the actors were shooting in their respective homes virtually. He points out that there is not even a single frame when two actors met.
Motwani gives a lot of the credit to director of photography Piyush Puty who was constantly guiding the actors on all technical aspects of the shoot. He also mentions that Puty identified the perfect spots within the house and went on to teach actors on how to create a block, light it and then perform. Puty aesthetically created spaces where the actors could shoot on their phones with minimal lighting.
The team spent a lot of time getting the groundwork done over virtual meetings. Each and every aspect was discussed in detail to avoid unnecessary delays while shooting. Each team member was always connected via video or audio calls.
Motwani says, “Conceptualising and creating The Gone Game is a fine example of a blend of creativity and innovation. A story which propagates humanistic values, engagement and unpredictability will by itself draw audiences’ to itself. We have stayed true to our core of creating a perfect whodunit set against the backdrop of the pandemic.”
He shares that the intrinsic rules of shoot remained the same. The team had invested a lot of time and effort in rehearsals and workshops before finally shooting. However, they were realistically prepared that this time shooting will take longer.
“We knew we were up for a challenge when we set our minds to shooting the entire show remotely. While we equipped ourselves through numerous prep sessions with the actors, this shoot required us to be on our toes constantly. Our efforts were to make all the actors create their own blocks, shoot and yet maintain a sense of continuity and authenticity,” he adds.
Motwani believes storytelling in the times of pandemic is extremely important. He thinks it is essential to entertain and inspire viewers with great content along with the thrilling experience that intrigues with darker aspects of the human psyche. “There is always a perfect story waiting to unfold, we just have to look at it creatively,” he concludes.
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.
