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India in the 90s was bursting at the seams with a renewed sense of hope and seemingly limitless possibilities; from the rise of a neo-culture influenced by globalisation, to the shaping of a distinct Indian pop-culture that was relatable and universal and more.
Those who enjoyed the glory of having a childhood in the 90s can wage extensive verbal debates on why this particular decade was the end of a golden era.
From iconic Bollywood flicks to wildly popular TV shows, from games to edible candy delights that were unique to this period, there was an undeniable charm that the children of this era happened to witness.
The Rise Of An Indian Superhero Universe
One cannot talk about 90s India without mentioning the iconic superhero stories that inundated our childhoods.
The earliest traces of authentic Indian superheroes however date back to the early 70s when Chacha Chaudhary rose to fame amongst the comic-reading audience of the country. Although not a superhero in the conventional sense, Chacha Chaudhary’s enigmatic persona, his knack for problem-solving, and his ancient wisdom paired with his superhuman computing skills sure did pave the way for authentic Indian superheroes that rooted to the country’s cultural history and extensive mythology.
Chacha Chaudhary is also an interesting exploration into superhero tropes that attracted the Indian masses. Chacha was a typical Indian middle class man who fit into the frame of the revered village elder who was always consulted at the time of conflict.
The character, storyline, villains were all set within a very plausible reality of sub-urban India filled with corrupt politicians, burglars, and bullies. Chacha’s common man character eliminated the need for an overpowering, vindictive superhero on a mission to avenge evil.
The home of Indian superheroes; Raj Comics
In the late 80s, India witnessed the rise of its very first ‘original’ superheroes. Published under Raj comics in 1986, Nagaraj officially marked the beginning of India’s superhero universe. With a green muscular body styled in a purple brief and cobra head accessories, Nagaraj made a stark debut that was almost impossible to ignore.
Nagaraj’s storyline ticked all the right boxes. From having an out-worldly plot with strong roots in Indian mythology, each story was also based on scientific logic. His superpowers included a venom in his veins that was so celestial that it could melt metal, unleash destruction, and also heal people in seconds.
Nagaraj sparked the beginning for a series of Indian superhero characters that followed suit under Raj comics. Super Commando Dhruv, Doga, Parmanu, and Bhokal were all characters that left behind an impressionable influence on Indian children.
The 90s Pop Culture Icon - Shaktimaan
With an enormous fan following that lasted an entire generation, Shaktimaan was undeniably India’s most beloved superhero. The show which aired on Doordarshan between 1997 and 2005 delved briefly into Indian mythology and kept its storyline relevant to its young audience while also being culturally relatable.
What made the Mukesh Khanna-starrer a wild-hit was not just its entertainment factor but its honest attempts in finally bringing an Indian common man that fought for righteousness with equal amounts of relatability, humour, and sensibility to the screen.
Nearly 25 years on, Shaktimaan continues reign in the hearts of those who spent their childhood watching the show.
The Bollywood Hit And Miss
While superhero flicks overseas began to surmount unimaginable box-office collections, Bollywood too, tried to replicate the likes of Marvel and DC releases. Bollywood or Indian cinema’s immediate response was to recreate the visual appeal of these characters rather than developing socially/culturally conscious stories that would appeal to a new Indian audience that by was is exposed to the Western superhero universes.
In a series of hit-and-miss, the early 2000s witnessed the rise of superhero films that did not stay in our collective memories for too long. However, superhero or rather superhuman films such as Mr. India (1987) represented Bollywood’s few attempts at creating a loveable yet daring superhero character on screen.
The Vulnerable Superheroes Of Today
India might have learnt from its mistakes and turned several tides in order to reimagine what a superhero could mean for India. It is believed that superhero films/stories are simply a reflection of the fears, vulnerabilities, and possible threats of a particular period in time.
In today’s already dystopic world, it is not entirely difficult to spot these fears and to translate them into meaningful stories worth consuming. Independent and regional filmmakers have tried their shot at creating superhero films that aren’t entirely out-worldly but tap into the raw vulnerabilities of its heroes and villains; making it a personal and relatable viewing experience.
Right from Vasan Bala’s Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (the man who feels no pain) (2018) to Netflix India’s latest foray into the genre with Basil Joseph’s Minnal Murali (2021), there is a subtle yet definitive rise of a promising superhero universe that India can look forward to. The plots are based in local Indian towns and cities with characters that don’t shy away from exposing their emotional, physical, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. All of this is packed with feisty action sequences and commendable visual effects, and we finally have ourselves a thoughtful entertainer to look forward to.
Minnal Murali explores the lives of two lovelorn, financially unstable men in a rural Kerala town. A bolt of lightning strikes the two of them simultaneously on one fateful night and thus begins a series of unfortunate events that puts the entire town in threat under the hands of a powerful and worthy villain, Shibu played by Guru Somasundaram.
Has India managed to solve the curious case of creating a worthy superhero? Maybe not, but it is certainly on a path in discovering the same with its very promising experiments in the recent past. Until then, we certainly have the 90s to fall back on for stories that transport us into a time and place that is truly unforgettable.
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