Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is out now, and with that, it’s introducing a virtual pantheon of Spider-People to new audiences. With the Spider Society, run by Spider-Man 2099 Miguel O’Hara, fans get access to more heroes than ever but one of the best expansions on an existing character has to be Pravitr Prabhakar (voiced by Karan Soni), Spider-Man India. With Spider-Punk, Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, Peter B. Parker, Jess Drew, and more, here is everything you need to know about Pavitr Prabhakar. Oh, and remember chai means tea, and naan means bread, so don’t repeat the words. Here is everything you need to know after you watch the sequel film from directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, and writers Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, and Dave Callaham.
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Pavitr Prabhakar’s Origin Story
The original Pavitr Prabhakar was once a poor young man from a small village in India. Originally published in India by Gotham Entertainment Group in 2004, the goal of the mini-series was to be a retelling of Peter Parker’s story in an Indian setting created by Sharad Devarajan, Suresh Seetharaman, and Jeevan J. Kang with Marvel Comics. Pavitr’s parents passed when he was young, leaving him to be raised by his Aunt Maya and Uncle Bhim. Pavitr earns a scholarship to a substantially higher-class school in Mumbai, finally bringing him into the big city. And from there his origin follows pretty much to a tee. Uncle Bhim struggles to afford the remainder of his nephew’s tuition, and Pavitr has a hard time fitting in. Instead of getting bit by a lab’s radioactive spider, he meets a Yogi who gives Pavitr the power of a spider to fight evil—who is named: Nalin Oberoi. See what they did there?
The fact that Pavitr Prabhakar’s origin is just a reskinned Peter Parker, but in India, there has always been a need for an update, and to be honest, Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse has given him the most needed facelift yet.
Joining the Web Warriors
During the Spider-Verse storyline, which featured Spider-Men from various alternate realities and inspired Into the Spider-Verse, Pavitr Prabhakar was seen fighting a mysterious new villain named Karn, whom he mistook for a demon. The Superior Spider-Man managed to save him and recruited him into his army of Spiders. During the Secret Wars event, Pavitr Prabhakar was in the domain of the Battleworld called Arachnia, where he teamed up with Spider-Gwen, Spider-Ham, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-UK, and Anya Corazon. Following the conclusion of Secret Wars, the team of six Spiders that formed during the event will rename itself and feature in a new ongoing series called Web Warriors, like many of the other spiders shown in the Spider-Verse film series.
Pavitr Prabhakar in Across the Spider-Verse
In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Pavitr Prabhakar‘s home has changed to Mumbattan and has only been Mumbattan’s only Spider-Man for only six months. He has spent those six months fighting bad guys, going to school, feeding dogs, and drinking chai with his aunt, and attempting to date his girlfriend Gayatri. Now a member of the Spider Society run by Miguel O’Hara, he’s also friends with both Hobie and Gwen.
The other thing that has changed is his look. While Pavitr still wears blue dhoti (instead of white) and traditional Indian footwear that is more akin to you know, actual shoes that are worn. Additionally, there are multiple patterns and colors layered onto his more traditional Spider-spandex on top that makes Pavitr stand out fantastically. His mask also has space for his hair to flow out and the gold bangles he wears, one larger than the other, aren’t just great costuming elements, but a part of his webslinging and fighting style. By winding his webs around the bangles he uses the bangles to propel at enemies as well as act as an anchor as he swings through Mumbattan. To be honest, this redesign is one of the best that I’ve ever seen for an existing character and I can’t wait to see what else he can do in the Spider-Verse.
Effortlessly funny, extremely stylish, and with so much more to give, Pavitr Prabhakar is one of the Spider-People to watch as the saga continues and when he comes to Miles’ aid with Gwen Stacy’s new band, well I’m sure we’re going to get more.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is in theaters nationwide now.
