Comedian and Youtuber Samay Raina has achieved a major global milestone with his debut stand-up special Still Alive, which has officially become the most-watched full-length stand-up comedy special in the world on YouTube.
Released on April 7, the special has crossed over 53 million views on YouTube, setting a new global benchmark for a single-upload comedy special. The one-hour-plus performance saw explosive early traction, garnering around 22 million views within the first 24 hours, signalling massive audience interest right from launch.
The special marks a significant comeback for Raina following the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in 2025. The fallout from the incident had led to legal scrutiny and a period away from the spotlight, making Still Alive not just a content release but a turning point in his career.
Raina had faced significant backlash in February last year after remarks by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia on his now-deleted show India’s Got Latent sparked widespread outrage, both online and offline, leading to multiple police complaints against those involved. In Still Alive, he addresses the aftermath of the controversy, reflecting on the FIRs, the intense public and political reaction, and his decision to take down all episodes of the show from YouTube.
In the special, Raina addressed the controversy, his time away from the public eye, and broader themes like mental health, identity, and public backlash. This candid, unfiltered narrative appears to have resonated strongly with audiences globally, contributing to its rapid rise in viewership.
