iWorld
“We are journalists and storytellers; Our mandate is to uncover, showcase, and celebrate cinema:”
Mumbai: The visionary behind Film Companion, founder Anupama Chopra is back with a new venture: Film Companion Studios.
Film Companion Studios is a speciality division for long-form storytelling, to create, develop and produce documentaries on all things film and entertainment. Film Companion Studios tells stories of storytellers and artists responsible for making cinema an experience. Through various endeavours, including impact-driven programmes to fund emerging filmmakers, FC Studios aims to take Film Companion’s legacy of discerning and nurturing love for cinema ahead.
Indiantelevision’s Suman Baidh in conversation with Film Companion Studios founder Anupama Chopra
Edited excerpt
On the inspiration for the creation of Film Companion Studios
The creation of Film Companion Studios came from our desire to document Indian cinema – the artists, the movies, the high points, and the low points. We started with Modern Masters, a documentary on SS Rajamouli. And through making that we decided that we wanted to do long-form storytelling around Indian cinema and pop culture.
On the planning to maintain the essence of Film Companion’s original mission while expanding into the more niche space of documentary filmmaking
The essence of Film Companion was always to be the missing Companion. FC Studios will also fulfil that role by bridging the gap between movies and movie lovers. We want to create an archive of incredible stories from the world of movies.
On focusing on long-form storytelling the criteria used to select the subjects for your documentaries
We want to tell stories that are engaging, informative and always, entertaining. That is the criteria we use to select subjects.
As the lines between journalism and content creation continue to blur, On Film Companion and Film Companion Studios shaping the future of entertainment journalism
We are journalists and storytellers. Our mandate is to uncover, showcase, and celebrate cinema. I don’t really worry about being a content creator. I hope the work that we do helps to propel entertainment journalism in the right direction.
On anticipating the shift from Film Companion to Film Companion Studios, potential resonance with the existing audience and challenges in retaining their loyalty are considered.
I think we have to continue to do our work with passion and integrity. As Rancho said in 3 Idiots – chase excellence and success will follow. I hope the same is true for our audience.
On the recent release of Modern Masters
Modern Masters was originally conceived by my erstwhile colleagues Baradwaj Rangan and Avinash Prakash. We took the idea to Applause Entertainment. Sameer Nair was excited by it and partnered with us in making the documentary. It’s been a thrilling journey to create the documentary and have it release on Netflix.
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.
