Hyderabad: Comic Con Hyderabad is set to bring heart, humour and heritage to the forefront this time with its line-up of artists. Among them are Hallubol by Rahil Mohsin and Alankrita Amaya, Happy Fluff Comics by Akshara Ashok and cosplayer Zohair Khan, who has spent nearly a decade bringing characters to life.
“Unfortunately, the face of Hyderabad cosplay,” reads Zohair’s cheeky Instagram bio, hinting at the wit and charm Comic Con promises, along with the cultural richness Hallubol brings and the relatable humour Akshara shares. These artists are just a few of many lined up for the three-day event from November 15 to 17.
Reviving Dakhni: Bringing a lost language to life through comics
Dakhni, also known as Deccani, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in India’s Deccan region, combining elements of Hindustani, Kannada, Marathi and Telugu. This year, Comic Con Hyderabad will see a touch of Dakhni culture with Hallubol. “Dakhni has only survived orally,” Rahil explains. “It wasn’t taught in schools, and it never got the recognition to be a ‘legit’ language. But it’s lived on its own for over a century.” Growing up in a Dakhni-speaking household, Rahil felt the absence of his language in popular media.
The duo started Hallubol to fill this gap, using comics to speak on Dakhni culture and also the universal struggles of its people. “Our hope,” Rahil says, “is that readers, whether they speak Dakhni or not, can see the shared humanity in our stories.”
Addressing relatable themes like toxic masculinity and family dynamics, Hallubol’s stories present complex social issues in a thought-provoking fashion. Their comic Mard Bann, for example, tells the story of a juice vendor haunted by a shadow demanding he “be a man,” portraying the pressures of masculinity within society.
Yet, Rahil notes that the Dakhni he speaks in Bengaluru is not the same as that in Hyderabad. “It is different because it’s influenced by the local languages in each region,” he says. Hyderabad holds special promise, as the city has always shown strong respect for Dakhni. “In Hyderabad, even people who aren’t from a Dakhni background approach the language with respect,” Rahil adds.
As they prepare to bring Hallubol to Comic-Con Hyderabad, a city where Dakhni is most prevalent, they’re inviting attendees to connect with Dakhni culture, to laugh and to see that, as Rahil puts it, “we’re all not so different after all.”
Comfort in the Uncomfortable: The relatable truths and the happy fluff
Akshara Ashok, the artist behind Happy Fluff Comics, the power of art lies in its ability to create a space where people feel seen, understood and unashamed of their own stories. Her comics, which touch on everything from awkward daily moments to heavier topics like mental health and body image, resonate with fans across India and beyond. “We all go through similar experiences, but we often think it’s just us,” she says. “Posting a comic and seeing how many people relate, that’s when you realise we’re all in it together.”
Akshara’s style is simple and cute, which helps her address taboo topics like sex education, menstruation and mental health without making readers feel uncomfortable or attacked. “I keep the wording and visuals simple, almost like you’re having a conversation with a friend,” she explains. This balance, she adds, helps readers engage with sensitive topics constructively. “I don’t want people to feel ashamed or judged, I want them to feel validated.”
Beyond the Cosplay Role: A decade of bringing characters alive
For Zohair Khan, cosplay is a journey of self-expression and community. His first encounter with cosplay was at Dubai Comic Con in 2014, a moment he describes as “flabbergasting,” seeing characters come to life in front of him. “I didn’t want to be just another fan in the crowd anymore,” he says. “I wanted to be on the other side, bringing these characters to life.”
When he moved to Hyderabad in 2015, he jumped at the chance to be part of Comic Con Hyderabad. His first costume may not have been “impressive enough,” but according to him, that is what started the journey that has kept him coming back to every Comic Con since. Over the years, Zohair has taught himself the art of costume-making skills from online tutorials and other cosplayers; it was a sheer trial and error.
“Back in 2015, we were all just figuring it out together,” he recalls. Now, it’s a tight-knit, supportive group known for its openness and enthusiasm. “The Hyderabad cosplay community is one of the best in India—cordial, helpful, and full of people who have become friends,” he explains. For him, Comic Con is more than an event; it’s a celebration, like a festival, where people connect over shared passions and individual creativity.
Zohair’s dedication to cosplay and his love for darker characters, like the Skeleton King, has earned him recognition and admiration within the community. But for him, the greatest validation came not from awards but from the crowd’s reaction. “Last year, as I stepped on stage, the entire crowd rose up, with hundreds of phone flashlights. As a performer, there’s no bigger validation than that,” he says, smiling. And that is the case for all these artists whether they attempt to bridge cultural gaps, break down taboos or just express themselves.