Industrial Economist (IE): The perception is Comic Con is a male-dominated space and now you are leading the space. Your thoughts on this
Shefali Johnson (SJ): I think that women already cover half of the global gaming community; it is just about the visibility. Studies also point that women now make up nearly 48 per cent of the gamers worldwide, making it gender balanced. It is just generally that men are more assertive and say that it’s a male-dominated industry. If women are given more representation and proper platforms, they too would become much visible.
IE: Your opinion on Women Empowerment.
SJ: For me, women empowerme n t i s a b o u t equal opportunity. As women, we have different strengths. We are very strong at multitasking, delegating and looking at how things need to get done. Women are always taught not to speak their minds or that people won’t like it if you behave this way. If we believe in something, we must go ahead and execute it. This is what women empowerment means to me.
IE: What would you like to tell young women?
SJ: I personally feel like it is not just girls who get pushed into traditional careers. It applies to both genders. But if you are allowed to choose your own career path, always explore, read and experiment. It’s okay to fail. If you do ten things in life, you might potentially fail at nine, but you will be great at one. Always give it from your heart and do the work with passion, regardless of the role.
IE: How do you manage work-life balance?
SJ: Work-life balance differs for everyone and depends on building a strong support system. Some days demand focus on family, others on work. Expecting perfect balance daily isn’t realistic. I prioritise intentionally deciding what needs my full attention each day and being fully present in that space.
IE: Where do you see Comic Con India in the next five years?
SJ: At Comic Con India, we have a gender ratio of 60:40 (men:women) which I feel is better than many other industries. More importantly, many of our women team members say it’s a safe and inclusive space to work. We believe opportunities should be open to anyone passionate about comics and gaming. Creators can reach out through our website, and if their ideas align with our vision and standards, we are happy to collaborate.
Over the next five years, we aim to expand into more cities, taking this culture of inclusivity wider and encouraging artists from across India to participate. Our goal is to amplify India’s evolving pop culture identity while ensuring Comic Con remains a space for everyone.