The idea of who gets to call themselves a gamer has many possible answers. Some people believe it requires a full setup with high-end hardware, while others argue that anyone who enjoys playing, regardless of the device, belongs in the community. Comic Con India CEO Shefali Johnson firmly aligns with the latter. In an exclusive conversation with Digit, she recalled how, when she joined the company a decade ago, she didn’t think she fit the label at all.
Survey‘When I joined this company back in 2015, I used to say that I’m not a gamer as the idea was that a gamer would have a proper setup or else they can’t be gamers,’ she said and added, ‘But then I realised that this is not the case. Even if you play games on your mobile, you are a gamer. Hence, I don’t think anyone in India is not a gamer.’
This same spirit of inclusivity is behind one of India’s biggest pop culture festivals, Comic Con, which continues to grow in scale, audiences and ambition. As Comic Con returned to Delhi this year, Shefali spoke about the trends shaping the event, the passion of fans and the enormous work that goes into bringing the festival to life.
Also read: I just spent the perfect gaming weekend in Delhi: Ghost of Yotei faceplates, BGMI battles and more
How gaming experiences are chosen at Comic Con
The gaming lineup at Comic Con reflects a balance between legacy partners and emerging trends. As Shefali explained, ‘It’s really a combination of both. Some brands like Sony’s PlayStation are regulars because they always have new titles they want to showcase. Beyond that, we reach out to teams behind whatever games are trending at the moment. At the same time, since Comic Con is a strong name in pop culture, publishers often approach us themselves to explore setting up an experience zone.’
This blend of familiar favourites and fresh collaborations ensures the show stays relevant each year, especially as India’s gaming audience continues to diversify.
The most unforgettable cosplay moment
Naturally, gaming and comics are only one side of Comic Con’s identity. Cosplay remains one of its biggest attractions, and among the many elaborate costumes over the years, one moment stood out for Shefali.
‘I think my experience in Mumbai was the most incredible so far. Somebody had cosplayed as Dr Octopus from the Spider-Man films. They actually had those retractable tentacles,’ she said.
Moments like these highlight the craftsmanship and passion of Indian cosplayers, something Shefali says continues to amaze the organising team every year.
Comic Con focuses on casual gaming
As the festival grows, fans often wonder why Comic Con does not host large-scale esports tournaments. The answer lies in the audience it aims to serve.
‘We don’t really focus on big competitive events. Whatever we do at Comic Con is designed for casual gaming. Like I mentioned earlier, everyone is a gamer in some way. So if you are visiting Comic Con, chances are that 90% of attendees will want to try a game, whether it is something new or even a retro title. That is why all our gaming experiences are built for the general public rather than a hardcore competitive audience.’
Competitive formats require infrastructure and stability at a scale that can be challenging inside a pop culture festival. Shefali adds, ‘When it comes to competitive formats, we haven’t explored that space much. What we do have is still competitive in spirit, but it is casual. Proper competitive gaming brings in a completely different set of requirements. The biggest challenge is ensuring reliable internet and the technical infrastructure that esports-level events demand. Thankfully, we have great partners who support us when we need it, and we have been doing this long enough to understand how to run smooth gaming experiences even in our sleep.’
Expanding Comic Con to more cities
This inclusive approach is also driving the festival’s physical expansion. After years of focusing on metro cities, Comic Con is now setting its sights on new regions.
‘I’m genuinely excited about taking Comic Cons to more cities across India. We’ve done plenty of events in the metros, and now we’re focusing on expanding into newer locations. The idea is simple. The rest of India is ready for this experience, so we want to take Comic Con to them,’ Shefali said.
What goes on behind the scenes
While the event might last only a few days, the planning unfolds over many months. Shefali shared that most attendees have no idea how early the work begins.
‘What you see here is really the result of at least six months of work,’ she explained and added, ‘we start by coordinating with international artists, publishers, and partners, understanding what they want to showcase and what they are creating. Then comes the planning of the setups and the experiences, making sure everything feels memorable for every fan who walks in.’
‘As of today, we already know which guests and experiences are lined up for next year’s Delhi Comic Con. Everything is planned well in advance, so the final event feels seamless.’
The fastest-growing fandoms in India
When asked about one space that has seen explosive growth, Shefali said it has to be anime and gaming. She said, ‘The Anime and manga space has been growing at an incredible pace. Alongside that, gaming has also become mainstream. The acceptance around both these categories has completely transformed. Gone are the days when parents questioned what their kids were doing by gaming.’
This acceptance is part of a larger cultural shift. ‘Because of India’s sheer scale, this growth will only continue. When a brand looks at the numbers, the demand is undeniable. Even with Crunchyroll, when we discussed expanding to more cities, their response was immediate interest because their content is being consumed everywhere,’ she added.
At the same time, a revival of homegrown comics is taking shape. ‘Gaming is moving into tier two cities, anime and manga are moving into tier two cities, and at the same time, we are seeing a revival of Indian comics. A lot of that revival comes from people like us. We grew up reading titles like Chacha Chaudhary, and now, as adults, we feel nostalgic about what we loved in school. That nostalgia is bringing Indian comics back into the spotlight.’
Thus, what was once a niche market in India is slowly becoming mainstream and different cities are also embracing the shift. With gaming becoming more accessible, anime and manga finding passionate audiences and nostalgia reviving Indian comic traditions, Comic Con stands at the centre of a cultural moment that is still gaining momentum. And as the festival reaches new cities and welcomes new fans, its core idea remains unchanged: anyone who loves stories, art, play or imagination has a place here.
Also read: Resident Evil Requiem might have this surprise playable character
Follow Us
Divyanshi Sharma
Divyanshi Sharma is a media and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With a strong background in tech journalism, she has covered everything from the latest gadgets to gaming trends and brings a sharp editorial lens to every story. She holds a master’s diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Her love for writing and gaming began early—often skipping classes to try out the latest titles—which naturally evolved into a career at the intersection of technology and storytelling. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her exploring virtual worlds on her console or PC, or testing out a new laptop she managed to get her hands on. View Full Profile
