iWorld
Winzo reinvents, rolls out short drama championship
NEW DELHI: Homegrown interactive entertainment platform, Winzo, is scripting a new chapter. Best known for its real-money gaming empire of 250m users, 100+ competitive titles and a 15-language spread, the company has announced the launch of the Winzo Short Drama Championship — billed as the world’s first global contest for microdrama creators.
Winners will bag full production sponsorship, long-term content deals, and guaranteed slots on Winzo TV, the firm’s freshly unveiled short-form storytelling platform. Entries will be judged on originality and narrative power, with final selections based on audience engagement. Winning dramas will also be showcased at marquee events, plugging India’s storytellers into a worldwide stage.
“We’ve always believed India’s cultural capital is its greatest export,” said Winzo co-founder Paavan Nanda. “We built Winzo to democratise opportunity for creators — first in gaming, and now in storytelling. India has the talent and scale to lead the global microdrama revolution.”
The move comes days after the government passed the Online Gaming Bill, forcing real-money game operators to rewire their business models. Winzo’s pivot positions it not only as a gaming major but also as a potential exporter of Indian narratives, from Bharat to the world.
Applications are open at winzotv.com, with Winzo calling on production houses and content creators to partner and reach its 250m-strong global audience.
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.
