Comic Con India Crowns Arindam Paul ICC 2026 Grand Champion with India's Largest-Ever Cosplay Prize of ₹4 Lakh
New Delhi, July 8, 2026: Comic-Con India, presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena, concluded the grand finale of the Indian Championship of Cosplay (ICC) 2026, bringing together the country's most talented cosplay artists for India's biggest cosplay championship. With the largest prize pool ever awarded in an Indian cosplay competition, the championship marked another milestone in Comic-Con India's continued efforts to elevate cosplay from a fan passion to a celebrated creative art form.
During the latest edition of Comic-Con across multiple cities, qualifiers for the Indian Championship of Cosplay were held and 11 talented cosplayers secured their spots in the National Finale.
Emerging as the ICC 2026 Grand Champion, Arindam Paul won the coveted title for his spectacular recreation of Fatalis Beta + Armor, the ultimate Master Rank armor set in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, taking home a record-breaking ₹4 lakh cash prize along with the Grand Trophy of Honour, the highest prize ever awarded in an Indian cosplay competition. Balancing a corporate career with his passion for creating, what started as a weekend hobby has evolved into a creative pursuit driven by relentless learning and craftsmanship. His winning creation is a testament to the dedication, patience and artistry that define India's growing cosplay community.
Sharing his excitement, Arindam said: "Winning the Indian Championship of Cosplay honestly feels like a dream come true. When I brought the Fatalis Beta+ Armor from Monster Hunter to life, a project that took me an entire year of crafting, rebuilding and troubleshooting. Seeing all that effort finally paid off is an incredible feeling and definitely one of the biggest milestones of my cosplay journey. I truly wouldn't be here without this amazing community and thanks to Comic-Con India for giving creators like us a stage to showcase our passion. Cosplay has given me unforgettable experiences, incredible friendships, and memories I'll cherish forever.”
Further expanding its commitment to recognizing diverse talent within the cosplay community, ICC 2026 introduced two new award categories: Runner-Up and Fan Favourite, creating more opportunities to celebrate creators across different aspects of the craft.
The Runner-Up title was awarded to Puia R. Siakeng, who received ₹1.25 lakh and the Grand Trophy of Honour. A veteran cosplayer from Aizawl, Mizoram, with over 14 years of experience, Puia brought Chen Stormstout from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria to life with remarkable authenticity and intricate detailing. Inspired by his love for the Warcraft universe since 2005, his award-winning costume reflected years of artistic evolution, technical mastery and unwavering passion.
The Fan Favourite Award, decided through public voting, went to Aryan Kapoor (popularly known as Yodha Props) who cosplayed as Plague Marines and received ₹1 lakh and the Trophy of Honour. The 19-year-old from Delhi discovered cosplay after attending Comic-Con India in 2022 and has since immersed himself in armour making, sculpting, painting and prop building. His rapid growth and enthusiastic community support earned him this special recognition.
Speaking on the success of the championship, Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic-Con India, said, "The Indian Championship of Cosplay is a celebration of the incredible creativity, craftsmanship and passion that exists within India's cosplay community. Every year, we see artists push the boundaries of what's possible, transforming their love for characters into extraordinary works of art. This year we introduced India's biggest cosplay prize pool and expanded recognition through new award categories. We hope to encourage even more aspiring creators to pursue cosplay with confidence. Comic-Con India remains committed to providing a platform where talent is celebrated, communities come together and creators receive the recognition they truly deserve."
Over the years, Comic-Con India has played a pivotal role in nurturing India's cosplay ecosystem by giving creators a national stage to showcase their work, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and gain recognition for their artistry. The Indian Championship of Cosplay continues to inspire aspiring cosplayers across the country, proving that passion, creativity and dedication can transform a hobby into an award-winning craft while strengthening India's rapidly growing cosplay community.
During the latest edition of Comic-Con across multiple cities, qualifiers for the Indian Championship of Cosplay were held and 11 talented cosplayers secured their spots in the National Finale.
Emerging as the ICC 2026 Grand Champion, Arindam Paul won the coveted title for his spectacular recreation of Fatalis Beta + Armor, the ultimate Master Rank armor set in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, taking home a record-breaking ₹4 lakh cash prize along with the Grand Trophy of Honour, the highest prize ever awarded in an Indian cosplay competition. Balancing a corporate career with his passion for creating, what started as a weekend hobby has evolved into a creative pursuit driven by relentless learning and craftsmanship. His winning creation is a testament to the dedication, patience and artistry that define India's growing cosplay community.
Sharing his excitement, Arindam said: "Winning the Indian Championship of Cosplay honestly feels like a dream come true. When I brought the Fatalis Beta+ Armor from Monster Hunter to life, a project that took me an entire year of crafting, rebuilding and troubleshooting. Seeing all that effort finally paid off is an incredible feeling and definitely one of the biggest milestones of my cosplay journey. I truly wouldn't be here without this amazing community and thanks to Comic-Con India for giving creators like us a stage to showcase our passion. Cosplay has given me unforgettable experiences, incredible friendships, and memories I'll cherish forever.”
Further expanding its commitment to recognizing diverse talent within the cosplay community, ICC 2026 introduced two new award categories: Runner-Up and Fan Favourite, creating more opportunities to celebrate creators across different aspects of the craft.
The Runner-Up title was awarded to Puia R. Siakeng, who received ₹1.25 lakh and the Grand Trophy of Honour. A veteran cosplayer from Aizawl, Mizoram, with over 14 years of experience, Puia brought Chen Stormstout from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria to life with remarkable authenticity and intricate detailing. Inspired by his love for the Warcraft universe since 2005, his award-winning costume reflected years of artistic evolution, technical mastery and unwavering passion.
The Fan Favourite Award, decided through public voting, went to Aryan Kapoor (popularly known as Yodha Props) who cosplayed as Plague Marines and received ₹1 lakh and the Trophy of Honour. The 19-year-old from Delhi discovered cosplay after attending Comic-Con India in 2022 and has since immersed himself in armour making, sculpting, painting and prop building. His rapid growth and enthusiastic community support earned him this special recognition.
Speaking on the success of the championship, Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic-Con India, said, "The Indian Championship of Cosplay is a celebration of the incredible creativity, craftsmanship and passion that exists within India's cosplay community. Every year, we see artists push the boundaries of what's possible, transforming their love for characters into extraordinary works of art. This year we introduced India's biggest cosplay prize pool and expanded recognition through new award categories. We hope to encourage even more aspiring creators to pursue cosplay with confidence. Comic-Con India remains committed to providing a platform where talent is celebrated, communities come together and creators receive the recognition they truly deserve."
Over the years, Comic-Con India has played a pivotal role in nurturing India's cosplay ecosystem by giving creators a national stage to showcase their work, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and gain recognition for their artistry. The Indian Championship of Cosplay continues to inspire aspiring cosplayers across the country, proving that passion, creativity and dedication can transform a hobby into an award-winning craft while strengthening India's rapidly growing cosplay community.
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