Youtuber and Standup comedian Samay Raina hosted a show after nearly a year. In no time, the internet jumped in; from brands to apps to billboards, everything used his comeback as a part of their marketing campaign.
On Thursday, Samay Raina's "Still Alive" was streamed online, and the clip fetched millions of views within hours. However, the timelines of the netizens were soon flooded with quick puns, intriguing creatives, and one-liners.
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saying, “Samay badalta hai," and gave an instant discount on its products. while Duolingo kept things witty and funny, saying, “lesson ka samay."
Airtel made it a little different, using the trend to remind people to call their loved ones, hitting the emotional pin of the customers.
A number of companies also came up with new, more subdued ideas during the viral moment. For example, Biggies Burger and Unibic employed the phrase "this too shall pass," which made the time more contemplative than humorous. With "Treat ka sahi Samay," Parle's 20-20 cookies crept in, and GeeksforGeeks' perspective on debugging challenges offered a coding twist. "This too shall pass," a commercial for Yes Madam's self-care services, featured Samay Raina receiving a head massage.
From mobile connections to cookies, everything became "Samay" coded for a while. Brands don't wait for a moment like this. They make sure they are included in the discourse by jumping in and connecting with the buzz.
How Did The Netizens React?
The internet reacted in both a hilarious and thought-provoking way. “They were not there when Samay needed someone. But they are here to get into the limelight," one user wrote. Another added, “His parents must be so proud… everything is about him today for just being an honest comedian." A third summed it up more bluntly: “This is what it means to take advantage of the right moment."
What Was The Controversy About?
The controversy emerged after comedian and YouTuber Samay Raina’s career met with a sudden disaster in 2025. It all started when his show India’s Got Latent and its judges made headlines in controversy over "insensitive jokes and content." The show, along with its guest judges including Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia (aka BeerBiceps), Apoorva Makhija (aka Rebel Kid), and Ashish Chanchlani, went downhill after Allahbadia cracked an explicit “would you rather” joke during the show.
After almost a year, Samay Raina recently addressed the entire episode in his special titled “Still Alive.” The 1-hour-21-minute video became an instant hit, gaining more than 20 million views in just 24 hours.