Comedian Samay Raina has made a strong comeback after more than a year away from the public eye following the controversy around India’s Got Latent, with his debut stand-up special Still Alive achieving a major global milestone online.
Released on YouTube on April 7, 2026, Still Alive has crossed 53.4 million views, reportedly becoming the most-watched full-length stand-up comedy special in the world based on a single upload.
The special recorded over 22 million views within its first 24 hours and surpassed 48 million views within a week, setting a new benchmark for global stand-up content.
Raina has also been described as the first comedian to hold the record for the highest-viewed stand-up special globally on a single platform upload.
The 1-hour-21-minute performance marks his first official stand-up special and covers a wide range of personal topics, including his break from public life, the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent, mental health, childhood bullying, financial struggles, and his identity as a Kashmiri Pandit.
He also reflects on the support he received from fans and close friends during a difficult period.
Speaking about the project, Raina said, “Still Alive is the most honest thing I have ever made. I owe every view to the people who never stopped showing up.”
The special arrives after the controversy that erupted in February last year during an episode of India’s Got Latent, where a remark by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia sparked widespread backlash.
The incident led to FIRs against multiple people involved, including Raina, and triggered investigations by various authorities.
The episode was taken down from YouTube, and Allahbadia later issued a public apology. Raina also cooperated with official inquiries, including appearing before the Maharashtra Cyber Cell.
Despite the setback, Raina returned to live performances with his Still Alive & Unfiltered India tour in August 2025, which began in Bengaluru and continued in Delhi before expanding internationally across Europe, Australia, and the United States.
The success of Still Alive marks a significant turning point in his career, with the special being described as raw, personal, and unfiltered, focusing on honesty, humour, and self-reflection rather than the controversy that surrounded his earlier work. (Agencies)
