iWorld
Times Internet rolls back pay cuts as business picks up
KOLKATA: As media companies start seeing a rebound in business after the initial shock of the Covid2019 crisis, many of the biggies have begun rolling back pay cuts. The latest addition to the list is Times Internet Limited (TIL).
In a virtual fireside chat hosted by Indiantelevision.com, TIL COO Puneet Gupt said that employee salaries are back to the original levels and variables have been paid as well. While many media organisations are reducing team sizes, TIL has started selective hiring. In fact, TIL has seen gradual growth in last four-five months as market forces gain equilibrium, Gupt said.
Recently, New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) also said that it has ended salary cuts imposed on employees in the wake of the pandemic. According to media reports, major broadcasters like ZeeL, Viacom18, Star & Disney India also ended pay cuts starting from end September.
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.
