More than 150 cosplay enthusiasts gathered for a hands-on ‘Cosplay 101 Workshop’ organised by Comic Con India at Kolkata recently, offering participants an opportunity to explore the craft that goes into building a cosplay character ahead of Kolkata Comic Con 2026.The interactive session was conducted by cosplayers including Akshay Churi, a two-time Indian Championship of Cosplay winner, along with Souvik, Asmita and Pracheeta. Participants were introduced to multiple aspects of cosplay crafting—from prop-making and VFX makeup to wig styling, costume detailing and character performance.Speaking about sharing his craft with the community, Souvik said, “Cosplay has always been the greatest passion for me, it is more than just a hobby. Watching people take interest in the same craft I love, especially armor-making and prop building, makes me really happy and I am really grateful to Comic Con that it gave me this platform to showcase my work and share my experience with such an enthusiastic community.”For Asmita, who hosted the workshop for the second time, the session expanded beyond basic cosplay makeup to cover a wider range of techniques. “Hosting the workshop was such a wonderful experience. Being able to share my cosplay journey and connect with everyone there meant a lot to me. The enthusiasm from the community was incredible, everyone was so curious, supportive, and excited to learn and share ideas,” she said.Cosplayer Pracheeta highlighted the importance of learning the craft together. “Workshops like these are important because they give people the confidence to start creating. Cosplay is not just about dressing up—it’s about experimenting, learning new skills and building something with your own hands.”The workshop offered demonstrations on wig styling, creating spikes, prop priming and painting armour pieces, while also encouraging participants to ask questions and exchange ideas within the growing cosplay community.
