14 October,2012 09:00 AM IST | | Moeena Halim
Last year, Mumbai saw the travelling version of Comic Con India - Comic Con Express. Many fans showed up at the World Trade Centre all dressed up as their favourite comic book character, that Jatin Varma, founder, Comic Con India decided to organise the first ever Films and Comics Convention.
Movie buffs will have a lot more to look forward to this year. "Although the mainstay remains comics, this year we are seriously bringing in the films aspect. As it is Mumbai is the entertainment hub," says Varma.
Comic book fans enjoy cosplay at Comic Con Express Bangalore last week
One of the highlights of the convention, reveals Varma, is a retrospective panel on Andaz Apna Apna and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron that will be hosted by film critic Mayank Shekhar. "The cult classics are movies that the audience we expect will definitely connect with. Apart from Shekhar, the directors of the movies Rajkumar Santoshi and Kundan Shah will also be on the panel. Audiences can interact with the panelists, ask them questions and so on," says Varma.
The voice cast and director of Amar Chitra Katha's first ever-animated film Sons of Ram will interact with the audience too. Fans will be happy to know that exclusive comic book posters, t-shirts and other merchandise will be up for sale at the event. "Mimobot, an international brand that isn't available here usually, is putting up a stall. They have flashdrives of every character imaginable including Yoda, Joker, and Hello Kitty," says Varma.
Cartoonist Danesh Mohiuddin, who's created the poster for the event, will conduct a workshop. "During the session, I will go over the process of creating an illustration, using the specific example of the Mumbai Comic Con Poster," he says. "I hope to inspire youngsters by showing them that if they focus, and work on it, they can go a long way and make a living out of it."
Illustrator Abhijeet Kini will launch his graphic novel, Angry Maushi. "This is the first time I have both written and illustrated for a book," says Kini, who is publishing the book himself. Comic Con, he feels, is a great platform for him to receive feedback for his work. "Here, I get to hear from the audience directly. Mumbai is very open to new things," says Kini, who can't wait to see the reaction to his angry, frustrated character Angry Maushi. "I think that Mumbaiites will be able to relate to her," he concludes.
