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Tag: Karan Kalra

  • Shefali Johnson named CEO as Comic Con India enters bold new phase

    Shefali Johnson named CEO as Comic Con India enters bold new phase

    MUMBAI: Comic Con India, the country’s iconic pop culture celebration, is set for a dynamic new chapter as Shefali Johnson is appointed CEO, following a landmark year of expansion under Nodwin Gaming’s ownership.

    Johnson steps into the role as founder Jatin Varma, along with co-founder Karan Kalra and event director Sonal Varma, transition into advisory positions. The trio, who have nurtured the Comic Con legacy since its inception in 2011, will continue to provide creative direction and support the brand’s long-term vision.

    With Comic Con India now present in eight cities including recent additions Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune and having delivered its biggest season to date, the focus now shifts to scaling innovation, inclusivity, and immersive fan experiences.

    “Johnson brings the perfect blend of vision, experience, and drive to take our labour of love to greater scale,” said Jatin, reflecting on his journey. “We look forward to supporting her and the team in an advisory capacity as they shape the future of fandom in India across cities.”

    As a senior leader at Nodwin Gaming, Johnson has been instrumental in spearheading flagship IPs like Dreamhack India, BGMS, and the Cosplay Championships. Her appointment as CEO marks a strategic move to deepen fan engagement and expand Comic Con’s cultural footprint.

    “Stepping into this role is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Johnson. “We plan to grow this platform into newer cities, introduce newer formats, and create experiences that are more inclusive, dynamic, and reflective of India’s evolving pop culture identity.”

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder & managing director Akshat Rathee said, “With Johnson at the helm, we’re looking forward to building on everything we’ve created so far expanding our reach, deepening fan engagement, and continuing to celebrate the communities that make Comic Con what it is.”

    Since its debut in 2011, Comic Con India has grown into the country’s definitive pop culture festival uniting fans of comics, cosplay, gaming, anime, and beyond. 

  • Comic Con India bids farewell to its founding superheroes in style

    Comic Con India bids farewell to its founding superheroes in style

    MUMBAI: A founder exits, but the fandom marches on

    The capes are coming off—but not before a final bow. In a major leadership shakeup, Comic Con India announced that founder Jatin Varma, along with co-founder Karan Kalra and event director Sonal Varma, are stepping away from their day-to-day roles at the helm of India’s beloved pop culture carnival.

    Announced on 10 April 2025, the move marks the end of an era that began in 2011 with a dream to bring cosplay, comics, and chaos to the masses. But fans, fret not—this isn’t a full-throttle exit. The OG team will continue in an advisory and strategic capacity, lending their nerdy wisdom as the brand evolves under new leadership.

    The changing of the guard comes on the heels of Nodwin Gaming’s acquisition of Comic Con India in January 2024, pegged at a neat Rs 55 crore.

    And what a power-up it’s been.

    Since then, the event has gone from geeky niche to national juggernaut—adding Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune to its roster alongside legacy cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

    What started as a scrappy fandom gathering in 2011 has morphed into India’s largest pop culture festival, drawing over 200,000 fans and clocking a jaw-dropping 330 million in digital reach. Jatin and his team didn’t just build a convention; they built a community. A multiverse of creators, cosplayers, fans, and fandoms stitched together with passion, panel discussions, and Deadpool sightings.

    “Their passion for storytelling, comics, gaming, and cosplay built a platform that connected creators and fans alike,” the company noted, in a tribute that hits right in the feels.

    As Nodwin prepares to roll out a new core team, expectations are sky-high. The mission? Keep the soul of Comic Con intact while dialling up the digital, the dazzle, and the drama for India’s next-gen pop culture brigade.

    An official update on the next phase of leadership is expected soon.

    So long, Jatin and crew. Thanks for the panels, the Pikachus, and the passion. The fandom salutes you.

  • NODWIN Gaming acquires Comic Con India

    NODWIN Gaming acquires Comic Con India

    Mumbai: NODWIN Gaming the esports and gaming industry in South Asia, has successfully acquired Comic Con India, a renowned company celebrated for organizing numerous pop cultural festivals across the country. This strategic acquisition not only broadens NODWIN Gaming’s portfolio but also signifies a significant expansion into the global entertainment landscape.

    NODWIN Gaming will acquire 100 per cent of Comic Con India’s shares at a valuation of Ra 55 crore through a cash and share swap from its founders, Jatin Varma and Karan Kalra. The managing team will also become shareholders by swapping 27.5 Crores of their Comicon India shares with NODWIN shares.

    Comic Con India founder Jatin Varma stated “For more than a decade, we have worked tirelessly to build a unique space in India for promoting and celebrating popular culture. And with that goal in mind, I am very excited to join hands with NODWIN Gaming in taking the next step and building upon this goal together”.

    Comic Con India, partner and director Karan Kalra added “I am thrilled that this strategic partnership will enable us to deliver amazing events and experiences to pop culture fans across India”.

    NODWIN Gaming co-founder and managing director Akshat Rathee stated, “We are thrilled to welcome the managing team of Comic Con India as partners and shareholders in NODWIN Gaming. Our quest for drawing millions of fans across the world will get another level up with Comicon.”

    NODWIN Gaming plans to expand Comic Con India into its portfolio, to offer a platform for gaming enthusiasts, comic fans, and pop culture enthusiasts. The strategic move aims to redefine the entertainment industry, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.