This past weekend, Mumbai hosted its first Comic Con, an express version of the annual comic book exposition, which was held for the first time, in New Delhi in February. Photographer Kainaz Amaria captured some of the more colourful characters that showed up to flaunt their costumes (and their superpowers). Click on the view slideshow button to see the images.
KARTIK JAYAKUMAR, MERCHANT NAVY CADET, 19
What character are you?
Fred Flinstone.
What superpower would you like to have?
My superpower would be teleportation. My girlfriend lives in Andhra Pradesh, a 37-hour train ride away. So teleportation would allow me to get closer to her.
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Iron Man, hats off!!
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
The ability to travel fast or to fly.
Where did you get your outfit from?
I bought my costume from a stall. I couldn’t pull off Batman because I’m cute and cuddly so I chose Fred.
Who is your arch nemesis?
Definitely my chief officer on the ship.
KLINTON REBELLO, FITNESS TRAINER, 30
What character are you?
Shiva from Vimanika Comics.
What superpower would you like to have?
I would want to fly to get to places faster.
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Iron Man, hands down!
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
My Mumbai superpower would be climate control.
How long did it take you to come up with your outfit? Where did you get it from?
It took about half-an-hour to get this together…I hope the blue paint comes off…it better!
Who is your arch nemesis?
My arch nemesis would be to fight against bad media—media that spreads misinformation instead of information.
K. S. UTHAYYA, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STUDENT, 20
What character are you?
Naruto Uzumaki. He is a Japanese ninja.
What superpower would you like to have?
The ability to fly! Who wouldn’t want to fly?
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Iron Man, no contest.
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
A Mumbai superhero would have to fly because of the traffic and have the power to ice because it is so hot. Imagine the ability to ice a warm beer!!
How long did it take you to come up with your outfit?
It took me two minutes to put it together.
Who is your arch nemesis?
Superman! I hate Superman! Who wears their underwear on the outside?! That takes away any superpowers!
MUDIT GANGULY, MASS MEDIA STUDENT, 18
What character are you?
Darth Maul from [Star Wars] Phantom Menace.
What superpower would you like to have?
Telekinesis, the ability to pick up things with my mind.
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Iron Man. It’s Hollywood vs. Bollywood and Hollywood has better effects.
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
The power to tolerate traffic, crowds and pollution.
How long did it take you to come up with your outfit? Where did you get it from?
Everything is borrowed, my makeup took about an hour and a half.
Who is your arch nemesis?
The education system as a whole!
NAEEM IRANI, COMMERCIAL ARTIST, 23
What character are you?
A she-Hulk.
What superpower would you like to have?
I’d choose to be Elektra so I could create energy.
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Iron Man. No question.
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
I’d like to convert dirt into non-dirt and plant more trees in order to clean up trash and pollution.
Where did you get your outfit from?
This is my friend’s T-shirt and I used poster paint for the green face. It may not come off soon.
Who is your arch nemesis?
My nemesis is humans that want to destroy the Earth.
RASHMI BUNTWAAL, MODEL, 23
What character are you?
Wonderbai, who is Comic Con’s mascot.
What superpower would you like to have?
I would chose to be invisible so I could spy on my boyfriend.
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Ra.One. I’m all about Bollywood, I absolutely love Bollywood.
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
The ability to fly, to avoid traffic jams.
How long did it take you to come up with your outfit?
My hair took an hour and my costume took an hour.
Who is your arch nemesis?
My arch nemesis would be myself! I try to improve each passing day so I’m always in competition with myself.
ABHISHEK SARANGAN, COMPUTER ENGINEERING STUDENT, 21
What character are you?
Asterix from the French comic series.
What superpower would you like to have?
Teleportation because of Mumbai traffic. In the blink of an eye, you could be anywhere.
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Iron Man, definitely. I’m a big Marvel fan; he is also smarter!
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
Teleportation again!
How long did it take you to come up with your outfit? Where did you get it from?
It took me a few days. I made the wooden sword at university, the moustache is cotton dipped in acrylic.
Who is your arch nemesis?
I don’t hate anybody.
CLAYTON HOGERMEER, MUSICIAN/STUDENT, 25
What character are you?
Superman.
What superpower would you like to have?
The ability to fly, I’ve always wanted to!
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Iron Man because I haven’t seen Ra.One.
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
A Mumbai superhero would have to have compassion because it is so easy to get jaded.
Where did you get your outfit from?
I bought this costume for my birthday. I had a superhero themed party.
Who is your arch nemesis?
My arch nemesis would be apathy. I’m very patriotic and I feel people are too apathetic about everything. People complain about things they don’t like but don’t do anything.
KARTIK KRISHNAN, DESIGN STUDENT, 18
What character are you?
Darth Maul from Phantom Menace.
What superpower would you like to have?
The ability to control what other people think. Then I can manipulate everyone.
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Ra.One because he is Indian.
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
The ability to reduce traffic, corruption and poverty.
How long did it take you to come up with your outfit? Where did you get it from?
Two hours! I used acrylic paint, and newspaper for the horns.
Who is your arch nemesis?
Poverty!
SURESH SHARMA, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, 22
What character are you?
Wolver Anna “Brother”. He is the India version of Wolverine, he climbs trees and gets coconuts to sell.
What superpower would you like to have?
I would choose to be a genius.
In a battle between Ra.One and Iron Man, who do you think would win?
Iron Man because he is smarter.
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
A Mumbai superhero should have the power to kill all the politicians.
How long did it take you to come up with your outfit?
Not long, my friends helped out.
TANVI RANDHAR, LAW STUDENT, 21
What character are you?
The Joker. I chose him because I’m a law student and I’m serious all the time, so this is a good change.
What superpower would you like to have?
Teleporting because I’d love to move from one place to another!
What powers should a Mumbai-based superhero have?
Teleporting because the traffic is pathetic.
How long did it take you to come up with your outfit?
It took me about an hour…the paint better come off!
Who is your arch nemesis?
My arch nemesis would be the Mumbai traffic, it takes me forever to get anywhere!
