Pop Culture Fans Level-up with Cosplay 101 Workshop Ahead of Pune Comic Con

Pune’s geek community leveled up its cosplay game during the recently concluded ‘Cosplay 101’ Workshop by Comic Con India. The city’s pop-culture enthusiasts gathered at Mauji The Time Café in Ashok Nagar for a hands-on learning experience that brought together over 120 creators and fans into a hub of creativity. The workshop sharpened cosplay skills and amplified Pune’s growing love for fan culture, setting the perfect tone for the upcoming Pune Comic Con, scheduled for March 21–22, 2026.

Participants coming from diverse backgrounds were mentored by an expert trio of Akshay Churi, two-time Indian Championship of Cosplay winner, Sameer Shaikh, a renowned costume and prop maker, and Navita, a passionate and experienced cosplayer. The session served as an intensive crash course in the art of metamorphosis, where experts shared the trade secrets behind high-end cosplay. Attendees were guided through the entire creative process, mastering essentials like costume construction, foam-based prop creation, professional VFX makeup, and wig styling.

The mentors also broke down advanced techniques step by step, like achieving a convincing metallic sheen, weathering props for battle-worn realism, layering highlights and shadows for depth, and perfecting wig styling and VFX-inspired makeup. Finally, beyond the visuals, the mentors focused on performance techniques, empowering Pune's fans to step off the sidelines and bring their beloved characters to life with a professional level of flair and precision.

Speaking about the workshop, Akshay Churi said, “We saw a lot of new and upcoming cosplayers who wanted to get into cosplay, who had attended the workshop. We explained to them how to begin their cosplay journey, how to plan the costumes, and how to go throughout the entire build process all the way to completing the outfit. We also had a live demonstration where we showed a shoulder prop made out of EVA foam. So it was a very hands-on interactive experience and I had a lot of fun.”

Participants were left inspired and equipped with the skills to elevate their cosplay craft to a professional standard. The workshop became a masterclass in turning fandom passion into artistry.