iWorld
ZEE5’s Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai sweeps Filmfare OTT Awards 2023
Mumbai: ZEE5, India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and the OTT arm of ZEEL, bagged multiple awards for its original film “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai” at the Filmfare OTT Awards 2023. The direct-to-digital ZEE5 original which later saw a theatrical release owing to its widespread acclaim, won across five key categories in the Web Original Film section. Alongside this, ZEE5’s comedy web series “TVF Pitchers S2” and “TVF Tripling S3” collectively won prestigious titles in the comedy series section.
Winning Categories:
The gripping courtroom drama was inspired by a five-year-long standalone fight of lawyer Adv. PC Solanki, ZEE5’s “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai” won the prestigious Black Lady in the following categories:
Best Film, Web Original – “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kafi Hai”
Recognizing the film’s outstanding narrative, direction, and overall cinematic excellence
Best Actor, Web Original Film – Manoj Bajpayee
Commending one of this era’s most versatile actors, Manoj Bajpayee for his exceptional portrayal of lawyer Adv. PC Solanki in the lead role
Best Director, Web Original Film – Apoorv Singh Karki
Recognizing Mr. Apoorv Singh Karki’s masterful direction of the sensitive film which tackled a societal issue with a powerful yet moving narrative
Best Story, Web Original Film – Deepak Kingrani
Acknowledging the depth and deft social commentary Mr. Deepak Kingrani brought into the film through storytelling
Best Dialogue, Web Original Film – Deepak Kingrani
Highlighting the impact and effectiveness of the film’s dialogues written by Mr. Deepak Kingrani
“TVF Pitchers S2” and “TVF Tripling S3” on ZEE5 won the following awards in the Comedy Series category:
Best Comedy (series/specials) – “TVF Pitchers S2”
Recognizing the brilliant narrative, comedic elements, and direction of the web series
Best Actor, Series – comedy (female) – Maanvi Gagroo for her role in “TVF Tripling S3”
Captivating the audience with her outstanding comedic performance as Chanchal Sharma, Ms. Maanvi Gagroo bagged the ‘Best Actor, Series – comedy (female)’ title for her role in “TVF Tripling S3”
Best Supporting Actor, Series – Comedy (Male) – Arunabh Kumar for his role in “TVF Pitchers S2”
Commending Arunabh Kumar’s brilliant comedic timing and remarkable performance as a supporting actor in “TVF Pitchers S2”
Best Supporting Actor, Series – Comedy (Female) – Shernaz Patel for her role in “TVF Tripling S3”
Veteran actor Shernaz Patel’s spunky yet heartwarming performance as Charu Sharma won her the Best Supporting Actor title in the Comedy Series category
Hosted by The Times Group, The Filmfare OTT Awards was established in 2020 to honour both the artistic and technical excellence of professionals in OTT series and films. As the OTT entertainment industry continues to evolve and thrive, the Filmfare OTT Awards remains dedicated to upholding the Black Lady’s legacy and recognising the excellence of the Indian OTT segment. The event’s fourth edition took place on Sunday, November 26, 2023, in Mumbai which was attended by prominent celebrities from the entertainment industry.
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.
