The title of the Dakhni comic book series Hallubol — meaning “speak softly” in the language — comes from an expression Rahil Mohsin and his cousins often heard growing up in Bengaluru’s Shivaji Nagar. “Whenever any of us spoke in Dakhni as children, someone would immediately say, ‘Hallubol re — speak softly.’ Speaking Dakhni came with a certain sense of low self-esteem,” recalls Rahil. “We were made fun of, and the way Dakhni-speaking people were portrayed in the media only reinforced stereotypes.”
Founded by Rahil, an animation artist, and his wife Alankrita Amaya in 2023, Hallubol is a multimedia initiative that brings the Dakhni language and its vibrant culture to the forefront through a series of witty, relatable comic books and motion comics. More than a storytelling platform, Hallubol seeks to bridge the gap between Dakhni culture and global audiences.
“At the heart of Hallubol is a passion for preserving and celebrating Dakhni,” says Rahil. “This Indo-Aryan language, spoken across the Deccan region, wasn’t widely accepted when we were growing up, or so we thought. I grew up in a Dakhni-speaking household, and as I got older, I realised how absent the language was from mainstream media. Alankrita and I wanted to fill that void, using our art to create content that resonated with Dakhni speakers and introduced the culture to a wider audience.”
Comic strips from Abba Ari
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Their debut comic, Mard Bann, explored the social expectations placed on men in India, addressing themes of toxic masculinity, generational trauma, and parental abuse through the lens of Dakhni identity. “We wanted to show a sensitive portrayal of Dakhni men, beyond stereotypes,” Rahil explains. This was followed by Abba Ari, another story that draws humour and pathos from everyday Dakhni life.
Hallubol’s comics feature eccentric yet familiar characters and sharp, observational humour, often inspired by Rahil’s own family and the world around him. The duo weave in language, customs, and social nuances to offer an authentic glimpse into the Dakhni community.
To ensure accessibility, they have adopted a bilingual format — presenting their comics in both Dakhni and English. “This allows Dakhni speakers to feel represented while inviting others to engage with the culture,” says Rahil. They have also ventured into motion comics — animated adaptations of their strips that bring characters and dialogues to life in new, dynamic ways.
The team of Hallu Bol will be at Hyderabad Comic Con, Hitex Exhibition, till November 2.
Published – November 01, 2025 01:05 pm IST
