SUBODHINI PUROHIT
Superheroes have always had a special place in the vast tapestry of human storytelling. They have been enthralling audiences all across the world for decades with their daring exploits and strong commitment to justice. Even though the West may have popularised the idea of superheroes, India is rightfully regarded as the original creator, of recognisable figures with incredible powers. Indian superheroes, steeped in rich mythology and cultural legacy, are widely admired for their enduring appeal, profound emotional resonance, and capacity to motivate successive generations.
Heroes such as Hanuman, with his superhuman strength and steadfast devotion, and Karna, the tragic hero of unrivalled bravery, set the groundwork for the superhero genre in India. Their enduring appeal to viewers has contributed to the growth of the superhero subgenre in India for many years. With the introduction of television in the 1990s, a huge turning point was reached, as millions of people were able to see legendary superheroes like Shaktimaan and Captain Vyom in their living rooms. Captain Vyom showcased a future image of Indian heroism as he soared into space, while Shaktimaan, the “Indian Superman,” won over fans with his sense of duty and morality.
With the huge box office success of Krrish, Indian cinema completely embraced the superhero genre as the new millennium got underway. The tale of a young man with extraordinary skills, who fights for justice and the truth, starring Hrithik Roshan in the title role, resonated with viewers of all ages and gave rise to a popular series that still enthralls audiences today.
Ascending superheroes
India saw the birth of its first batch of “homegrown” superheroes in the late 1980s. Nagraj marked the beginning of India’s superhero mythos when it made its debut in 1986 under the Raj Comics imprint. Nagraj entered the stage with a commanding presence, his strong emerald body accessorised with cobra-themed trinkets and purple underwear. Shaktimaan, the most popular superhero in India, made his debut on television in 1997. Since the dawn of comics’s culture, there hasn’t been a community of Indian superheroes in the Indian comics market. The readership began to rise sharply once a few character, like Super Commando Dhruv, were introduced. The stories and traits of the superheroes in Raj comics gained popularity among Indian readers, even if they weren’t entirely original creations. Nagraj, Dhruv, Doga, Parmanu, Shakti, Bhokal, Bheriya, Tiranga, Inspector Steel, Anthony, Super Indian, and Shaktimaan are a few of the well-known superheroes. “As a child, I found heroes like Shaktimaan and others to be replicas, blending elements from Spider-Man and Superman without bringing anything original to the table,” says writer Karanvir Arora of Vimanika Comics, drawing attention to the regrettable trend of many Indian superheroes being mere imitations of Western counterparts. “These comics seemed to appeal exclusively to people who were unfamiliar with Western superhero culture. More individuals are becoming aware of the fact that many of the Indian comics they were exposed to as children were simply copy-and-paste renditions of global heroes as a result of the internet’s growth.” He is adamant that Indian superheroes ought to be recognisable and, most importantly, unique. Creators should aim to establish new trends rather than merely following the ones that already exist. Character development needs to be creatively approached, and heroes should be created that accurately represent our cultural context. He believes that we should go back to the mythology and history that served as the inspiration for superheroes before Superman. “While Superman and Spider-Man continue to thrive, I think it’s time to shift the narrative and introduce characters that resonate with Indian audiences on a deeper level,” he mentions without holding back. “These international icons might serve as inspiration, but we should strive to include our own viewpoints and experiences. Making an Indian Spider-Man might help close the distance between the well-known and the relatable. In the end, reliability is a personal opinion, so it’s time to rethink what it means to be a superhero in Indian culture.”
From comics to movies
The popularity of superhero films in Bollywood can be ascribed to various elements. The first is the global trend toward greater popularity of superhero films, which is fuelled by popular Hollywood franchises like Marvel and DC Comics. Due to their widespread appeal, Indian filmmakers are now more inclined to investigate this genre and satisfy the public’s rising fascination with superheroes. Unbeknownst to many, India has a longer history of creating superhero stories than they may think. Take, for example, the groundbreaking silent film Suvarna Kamal (1926), in which Master Vithal plays a masked buccaneer setting out to capture a golden lotus. This pioneering cinematic endeavour established the foundation for the superhero subgenre in Indian cinema, exhibiting themes of bravery and exploration well in advance of their popular adoption! Just ten years later, in 1935, Hunterwali (sometimes called “The Princess and the Hunter”) debuted, starring the amazing Mary Ann Evans, who was mostly renowned for her role as Fearless Nadia. Evans played Princess Madhuri in this masterpiece of film, who takes on the role of a masked vigilante out of a sense of justice and uses her bravery and strength to fight bad forces and stand up for the oppressed. Ra.One, Minnal Murali, Krrish, and A Flying Jatt are just a few of the action, mystery, and thrill-packed superhero flicks.
“The portrayal of Indian superheroes shares similarities with their Western counterparts, particularly in the core concept of using superhuman abilities to combat crime,” says Tadam Gyadu, an illustrator who works for both Marvel and Indian comics. “But what distinguishes them is their investigation within the particular context of India. Unlike Indian superheroes, this backdrop presents distinct situations and lore. With epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata among its rich cultural legacy, India offers a fertile foundation for original stories that are hard to find elsewhere, producing new and distinctive narratives.”
Indian names and histories can be found in the superheroes that Soumyadipta Roy, who is a VFX and animation creator, worked with, such as Stan Lee’s Chakra the Invincible and other characters in its series. These superheroes, to him, feel more like they belong because they are from Mumbai, specifically from locations like Juhu Beach and the Wankhede Stadium. “Since we expect superheroes to be more visually flawless than regular people, visual effects and computer graphics play a critical role in superhero films. For years, artists have lovingly and morally created their performances. The genre has changed while keeping its flawless visuals. In order to meet this difficulty, the Marvel Cinematic Universe hires VFX wizards, many of whom are Indian. VFX artists that I personally tutoured worked on Ant-Man Quantummania and House of Dragons. India is capable of becoming a worldwide superhero phenomenon; all it needs to do is acquire more experience. It won’t be far off!”
For Indian superheroes to succeed and endure, relatability is crucial. Indian superheroes can inspire audiences to embrace their potential by embodying cultural relevance, addressing social issues, boosting representation, acting as aspirational figures, and celebrating cultural history. These connections can be profound and significant! Indian superheroes, in contrast to their Western counterparts, must mirror the cultural experiences, values, and goals of their audience in order to connect with them on a deeper level. However, Indian writers are embracing new literary techniques, and Indian superheroes are undergoing a significant metamorphosis.
Indian writer Shamik Dasgupta specialises in comic books. He has worked for Virgin Comics, most notably on the series Ramayan 3392 A.D., which is based on the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana and takes place in a far-off future. He remarks, “In the world of Indian superheroes, publishers like Raj Comics, who have introduced iconic characters like Nagraj and Super Commando Dhruva, do indeed dominate the landscape.” But the number of new superheroes being created has increased recently, indicating a rising desire within the genre to establish a unique identity. Given the abundance of superheroes currently in the world, it can be difficult to create completely original characters with special abilities, but Indian writers are managing to give their characters a sense of cultural significance and authenticity. India’s rich cultural legacy and vast diaspora make it an ideal location for storytelling, with a multitude of tales that explore the lives of regular people in exceptional situations. “The development of Rakshak, a grounded figure influenced by Batman and other superheroes, is one such instance. Creators may create stories that strike a deep chord with Indian audiences by establishing the character in the realities of Indian society and addressing the problems and crimes that the nation faces. This method not only gives the character more nuance and relatability, but it also makes it possible to explore important cultural and social problems.” Additionally, he says, “Authors can guarantee that their stories stay genuine and relevant to Indian readers by maintaining a storytelling style that is firmly anchored in Indian culture. Using mythology, folklore, and cultural values from their own culture as a source of inspiration allows authors to give their works a distinct flavour that distinguishes them from Western works. The future development of Indian superheroes ultimately rests with authors who aren’t afraid to push the envelope and take on uncharted narrative territory. Creators may open the
door for a new wave of superheroes that
captivate and inspire people all over the world by remaining loyal to their cultural background and creating stories that speak to Indian viewers.”
The emergence of digital channels in recent times has also resulted in the Indian superhero landscape moving outside conventional media for consumption. With their audio series like Number Zero (140 million plays), Shoorveer (250 million plays), The New Avatar (190 million plays), and Super Yoddha (140 million plays), platforms like Pocket FM are leading the way and redefining the superhero genre for a new listener base. These audio programs, which have captured the attention of listeners all over the nation, have become a cultural phenomenon thanks to their captivating soundscapes, compelling storylines, and dynamic characters. Regarding the occurrence, Pocket FM’s Head of India and New Markets, Suyog Gothi, said, “Superheroes are rays of hope in a world full of mayhem and uncertainty, showing us the strength of fortitude, bravery, and solidarity. By means of our platform, we hope to honour the rich legacy of Indian storytelling while embracing contemporary audio entertainment channels. The popularity of our superhero series is proof of these characters’ ageless appeal and capacity to uplift viewers of all ages.”
