As excitement builds ahead of Chennai Comic Con this February, Comic Con India brought the city’s pop-culture community together with an exclusive Cosplay 101 workshop, hosted at Hard Rock Cafe, Chennai. Held in collaboration with House of T, the session saw over 120 fans participate, highlighting a growing shift in how South India’s youth engage with fandom, creativity, and self-expression.

Designed as a hands-on introduction to the world of cosplay, the workshop covered the fundamentals of costume-making, prop creation, and character design. The session was led by Akshay Churi, a two-time Indian Championship of Cosplay (ICC) winner, along with Chennai-based cosplay veterans Logesh Rajah and Suriya Banu, who guided participants through the technical and artistic aspects of the craft.

From foam cutting and pattern-making to advanced techniques such as weathering, battle damage, VFX makeup, and wig styling, attendees were walked through step-by-step processes to help them build detailed, durable, and performance-ready costume pieces. The focus remained on practical learning, enabling participants to translate inspiration into execution.

Speaking during the workshop, Akshay Churi shared, “Through this workshop, we want to encourage more people to take up cosplay as a creative hobby. Many admire cosplay from a distance but feel intimidated, thinking it’s too difficult. By breaking down the basics, we’re showing that cosplay is accessible, expressive, and something anyone can start.”

Beyond creative techniques, the session also addressed the practical realities of cosplay. Discussions around budgeting, sourcing materials, and recycling highlighted how high-quality cosplay can be achieved through smart upcycling, making the art form more inclusive and sustainable for first-time creators.

The workshop served as a curtain-raiser to Chennai Comic Con 2026, scheduled for February 14 and 15 at the Chennai Trade Center (CTC). Participants will have the opportunity to nominate themselves for the Indian Championship of Cosplay, offering Chennai’s emerging talent a national platform to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship.

With initiatives like Cosplay 101, Comic Con India continues to nurture grassroots creative communities, positioning cosplay not just as fandom, but as a powerful form of artistic expression in India’s evolving pop-culture landscape.