Behind the origins of India’s Spider-Man: Satyajit Ray, Stan Lee and a Rs 10 comic

In 2004, the Indian publisher Gotham Entertainment Group created an Indian variant of Spider-Man, named Pavitr Prabhakar. The character was the brainchild of Sharad Devarajan, Jeevan J Kang, and Suresh Seetharaman, who pitched the concept and illustrations to Marvel. This was one of the first "trans-creations," where a character's origin was reinvented to reflect a different culture, making Spider-Man an Indian boy growing up in Mumbai and dealing with local problems.

The origins of this Indian Spider-Man are thought to stem from a rumour that filmmaker Satyajit Ray once met with Stan Lee, the creator of Spider-Man, to discuss the possibility of an Indian Peter Parker. Gotham Entertainment Group established in 1997, before offering Western comics in India was a challenge due to lack of access to print copies.

They broke new ground by releasing affordable comic editions in English and local languages, priced between Rs 10 and 15, and sold millions of issues across the country. The Indian Spider-Man, Pavitr Prabhakar, was an outcast, representing simplicity in contrast to the fast-paced urban lifestyle of Mumbai, which made him relatable to Indian readers.

His powers were rooted in mysticism and an ancient yogi, differentiating him from the science-based transformation of Peter Parker. The costume was designed to retain the iconic red and blue spider motif, with a dhoti, mojari shoes, and solid gold bangles, paying homage to Indian culture and traditions.