From Cosplays to Crowds: Tracing Comic Con Delhi’s rise to pop culture royalty

Experience the evolution of India's first Comic Con, from humble beginnings to a cultural phenomenon, at Delhi's NSIC Grounds.

If you happened to wander into Delhi’s Dilli Haat in the winter of 2011, you might have stumbled upon a peculiar sight, something both modest and monumental: In the winter of 2011, a small but spirited gathering of comic book enthusiasts, a smattering of artists, and 13 cosplayers came together at Dilli Haat, drawn by a shared passion for comics, collectibles, and the uncharted promise of India’s first Comic Con. There was something electrifying and monumental about the meeting: a sense of community that would soon ignite into a cultural phenomenon. 

In 2011, the idea of an Indian Comic Con felt, well, foreign. San Diego and New York? Sure, those made sense. But Delhi? It wasn’t much of a spectacle, not yet at least. 

Jatin Varma, the founder and managing director of Comic Con India, reflects on those scrappy beginnings with nostalgia and astonishment. “I had no experience in event production,” he admits. “It was just me wanting to be the geek who held India’s first comic book convention.”

In hindsight, perhaps it was inevitable. The global tide of pop culture, from Marvel blockbusters to the global anime boom, was already lapping at India’s shores. Comic Con was simply the spark that ignited the inferno.

Today, it’s hard to overstate how far India’s first comic book convention has come, or how cleverly it’s evolved to stay relevant in a world increasingly dictated by viral trends and shifting cultural tides. As its 12th edition unfolds at the NSIC Grounds in Okhla on December 6, its scale and stakes are unrecognizable from those early days.

Cosplay, once a peculiar novelty, has clearly become the beating heart of the event. From the handful early participants, the event now draws thousands of cosplayers each year. For participants, it’s more than merely a hobby. “When you’re at a convention, you become a star,” Varma explains. “Everyone wants a picture with you. You connect with like-minded fans and really show your love for your favorite character.”

With its meteoric rise has come inevitable commercialization. Sponsors like Maruti Suzuki, Crunchyroll, and Yamaha India bring financial muscle and immersive experiences to the table. But for Varma, the trick lies in balance.