iWorld
VICE Media Group taps Rohit Tugnait as Commercial Director, India
MUMBAI: VICE Media Group, the world’s largest independent youth media company, is pleased to announce the appointment of senior media executive Rohit Tugnait as Commercial Director for its India territory.
Tugnait will lead the commercial teams based in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi and will be responsible for growing all lines of business within VICE’s India region, including VICE Digital, Studios, Content Partnerships and VIRTUE, the creative agency borne out of VICE.
With nearly twenty years of experience across youth-oriented and culturally relevant media platforms, Tugnait has deep expertise in business strategy, content solutions and delivering both growth and revenue. As National Head of MTV, Tugnait led the channel’s brand solution wing and was a critical player in the launch and development of marquee properties including Coke Studio at MTV and the acclaimed Royal Stag Unplugged Series. Prior to joining VICE, Tugnait led the business division at 101india.com, a youth-focused digital media site aimed at connecting urban Indian audiences. There, he drove collaborations with television networks and OTT platforms in addition to licensing content on global platforms.
"VICE leads with purpose-driven content" says Rohit Tugnait, Commercial Director, VICE India. “I'm extremely excited to be a part of a global digital media company that is the go-to destination for advertisers who want to be relevant, effective and a part of the youth conversation".
Tugnait’s appointment comes after a string of recent award wins including the Kyoorius Creative Awards and the Digipub Awards in India for both original and branded content.
“India’s dynamic, engaged and outspoken youth make the country a priority market for VICE, whose mission is to amplify youth voices.” said Nilesh Zaveri, COO, VICE Asia Pacific (APAC). “Having someone with the depth of commercial experience that Rohit has, will further bolster our India momentum behind the successful portfolio of partnerships that we have built over the past 18 months with companies such as Budweiser, PepsiCo, Amazon Prime, Myntra and One Plus.”
Tugnait will be based out of VICE’s Mumbai office, where he joins the leadership team led by Samira Kanwar, Head of Content for VICE’s APAC region. His appointment is effective immediately.
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.
