August 19, Tuesday:
To Indian generations, superheroes such as Shaktimaan, Doga, and Bhokal have been household names. Shaktimaan, the cosmic crusader with moral lessons, framed a generation of television viewers in the 1990s. Doga, the masked crusader of Raj Comics, was an epitome of raw grit and street justice. Bhokal introduced fantasy and sword-wielding heroics to readers seeking escapist fiction.
Thus, when ChatGPT-5 was prompted to name its favorite Indian superhero, the most obvious options would have been one of these names. Instead, it picked Nagraj, the green-clad "King of Snakes" who made his debut in comics towards the late 1980s.
For most, the option will seem strange. Yes, Nagraj's strength lies in unleashing thousands and sometimes a million of serpents, even microscopic ones, which can infiltrate the enemy stronghold. Creepy? Definitely but it’s effective too.
Why Nagraj remains relevant even today
ChatGPT-5's logic explains why Nagraj has endured. In contrast to old-fashioned superheroes who fight with sheer force or cosmic power, Nagraj's tales frequently delve into corruption, terrorism, and ecological destruction. He is more concerned with fighting real-life threats rather than having flashy fights.
Meanwhile, his persona is firmly based in Indian legend but also incorporates advanced science-fiction trajectories. This combination, the AI writes, makes him ageless, a hero who can slip into both ancient fable and contemporary challenges without sacrificing relevance.
For readers, Nagraj is a new type of heroism. He does not have the mass nostalgia of Shaktimaan or the cult popularity of Doga, but his flexibility to evolve with issues of today keeps him alive in the minds of readers.
Ultimately, ChatGPT-5's unexpected selection is a reminder: India's superheroes are more than mere comic-page characters. They are cultural icons and symbols who keep evolving, and for this AI, Nagraj is still the one moving ahead of the pack.
