Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 15, 2025)
Surrounded by capes, comics and cosplay, Varun Sharma stepped into the vibrant world of superheroes and supervillains at the Mumbai Comic Con. The Fukrey actor took a trip down memory lane – channelling his inner nerd, fanboying over Iron Man, reminiscing about Shaktimaan and geeking out over Deadpool. What followed was a candid chat packed with nostalgia, pop culture and superpower charm.
‘Comic Con felt like stepping onto a superhero movie set’
For him, visiting Comic Con had been a long-standing wish. “It felt like I was transported into another world. The atmosphere was electric, like stepping onto a superhero movie set, with costumed characters strolling by as if it were the most normal thing in the world,” said the actor, who voiced Garfield in the Hindi adaptation of The Garfield Movie.
‘Iron Man is pure love’
Donning an Iron Man-themed T-shirt at the event, the actor couldn’t contain his admiration for the iconic superhero and Robert Downey Jr’s portrayal of him. “I just love Iron Man. He’s pure love! I am a huge movie buff, and the fact that this franchise gave Marvel its biggest breakthrough is something you just can’t ignore. On top of that, the emotion Robert Downey Jr brought to the character makes it impossible not to be a fan!” he gushed.
‘Shaktimaan was my OG superhero’
Long before Marvel and the multiverse, his superhero saga began on the streets of Jalandhar. He recalled with a grin, “Like every millennial kid, Shaktimaan was my first superhero. Every Sunday, our entire locality would gather around one TV. We’d watch, cheer, and then try to copy his moves.” Comic Con didn’t exist back then, but school fancy-dress competitions — often called Go-As-You-Like — were the stage. “I would often dress up as Shaktimaan. He was my OG. He introduced me to this world,” he shared.
‘Deadpool shows us that imperfection can still be heroic’
That, of course, brings us to the question: who is his favourite superhero? And the Merc with a Mouth makes an entry into this super-fun chat. “Deadpool, hands down. I absolutely love him,” he explained, adding that Deadpool’s chaotic and unconventional approach to heroism really resonates with today’s world.
“He’s not perfect, but he’s trying to do the right thing in his own chaotic and crazy way. That speaks to our generation. We don’t see things as black and white anymore; we believe that you don’t need to be perfect to do good.”
As an actor, he’s especially fascinated by the character’s unique storytelling style. “Breaking the fourth wall, talking directly to the audience — it draws you in. It makes you feel like you’re part of the story. That’s incredibly powerful,” he shared.
‘Giving voice to Garfield was a dream come true’
Last year, Varun had the incredible opportunity to channel his love for comic book characters through his profession when he voiced Garfield in the Hindi adaptation of The Garfield Movie. As one of the most nostalgia-laden characters in the comic world, Garfield demanded a performance that captured all his signature nuances. He recalled, “While preparing for the role, I watched several Garfield movies and revisited many Garfield comics. It took about two weeks to fully understand the eccentricities of that quirky, sometimes arrogant, sometimes sarcastic orange tabby. But honestly, it was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had dubbing for a film.”
Would he bring Garfield to life on screen again? Absolutely. It seems there’s more than just the voice that connects him to this food-loving feline. When asked which superpower he would want, the reply came quickly: “As a Punjabi, I would want the superpower to eat as much as I want without gaining weight.” Sounds like a power Garfield would wholeheartedly endorse!
‘Not all superheroes wear capes’
For him, superheroes aren’t always the ones swinging from skyscrapers or wielding hammers: sometimes, they’re the ones quietly making homes happier. He shared, “A superhero is someone who selflessly puts others first and does whatever it takes to help. He acts not out of any self-interest but because he feels a responsibility to help others. For me, mothers are the biggest superheroes. Running a household and making everyone happy and loved — that’s a real superpower.”
‘Comic Con is here to stay, but AI will transform the experience’
As AI continues to reshape the entertainment landscape, Varun believes Comic Con is headed for a transformation. “I think in the future, we will see immersive VR journeys through superhero universes, hyper-realistic robotic cosplays, 3D printing booths, real-time translation for global fans, and even holographic celebrity interactions. It’ll become more global than ever, but at its heart, it will always be a celebration of fandom, nostalgia and pure joy,” he concluded.