With the Delhi assembly elections around the corner, political parties are turning to street theatre, using Nukkad Nataks to sway voters, sometimes crossing ethical lines. Tehelka SIT takes a closer look at this evolving poll tactic.
“I have worked for Prashant Kishor’s team and performed many nukkad nataks [street plays] during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when he was working for the BJP. In that election, I handled four constituencies—Agra, Akbarpur, Azamgarh, and Rampur. Out of these, the BJP won three seats. I can say with certainty that nukkad nataks played a vital role in influencing voters,” Dharamveer Mishra, a nukkad natak artist, told Tehelka’s undercover reporter.
“Previously, nukkad nataks were used to spread social awareness. Nowadays, they are employed by political parties to serve their agendas during elections. It doesn’t require a big crowd or stage—you can go anywhere, perform, and convey all political agendas in just ten minutes of play. With two different teams, you can perform at two locations simultaneously without any difficulty,” said Anurag Dwivedi, another theatre artist who has provided his services to various parties.
“When I was performing nukkad nataks for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the last General Elections in Delhi, many in the audience openly spoke against the BJP. However, when the election results were announced, the BJP emerged victorious in all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. This demonstrates that our nukkad nataks played a role in influencing voters in favour of the BJP,” said Shashank Sasha, a theatre artist, while speaking to Tehelka’s reporter.
“However in future, I will not perform nukkad nataks for the BJP because they demand extensive proof of the street plays we conducted for them during elections before releasing payments. We worked for the BJP during the recently held Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections, but our experience with them was not good,” said Anurag Dwivedi.
“If you want a nukkad natak campaign contract from the Aam Aadmi Party or Congress, you need to approach the candidates directly, as these parties don’t handle such matters centrally. On the other hand, with the BJP, you can secure a contract for street plays only through their headquarters,” said Shashank Sasha.
“In the ongoing Delhi elections of 2025, I featured in the song Phir Layengey Kejriwal released by the Aam Aadmi Party. Over the years, I have performed 3–4 lakh nukkad nataks for various political parties in elections across India. If 25 people gather to watch our play, at least five will be influenced by our act, and those five will create a chain,” said Dharamveer Mishra.
Street plays, or nukkad nataks, have been an integral part of Indian culture for a long time. The Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) played a significant role in popularising nukkad nataks across the country. These performances are typically held in public spaces such as malls, market areas, and roadsides. Actors rely solely on their natural voices, performing without microphones or speakers. Traditionally, nukkad nataks were used to raise social awareness on issues like farmers’ rights, water crises, child labour and domestic violence.
However, today, nukkad nataks have become a tool for political parties to promote their agendas during elections. To uncover the truth, Tehelka conducted an investigation and spoke to nukkad natak groups who admitted to campaigning for various political parties and influencing voters through their performances.
Posing as a fictitious client seeking a nukkad natak group for a political candidate contesting the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, Tehelka first met Shashank Sasha from Delhi. Sasha has been running his registered group, Creative Art Group Society, for the past 10 years. He revealed that street plays or nukkad nataks are now widely used by all political parties to sway voters during elections. He claimed that during the 2024 General Elections, he performed street plays for the BJP in Delhi, “contributing” to the party’s sweep of all seven Lok Sabha seats in the city. According to Sasha, his performances played a part in influencing voters who were initially against the BJP. He disclosed that he received Rs 15,000 per day from the BJP for his performances.
Reporter- Ek baat batao aap ye jo nukkad naatak karwaogey aap Delhi mein is sey kya voter influence hota hai.?
Sasha – Haan bilkul hota hai sir..fayda hota hai. Abhi mein aapko batata hoon. Last year bhi kiya tha maine.. 2024 mein.. tab peeche se awaaz sunai de rahi thi jab hum kar rahe they: kya BJP.. kya BJP. Baad mein pata lag raha hai ki saaton seat BJP le gayi…matlab mein heiran tha sir, literally hairan tha.. saat seats sir.
Reporter- Ye nukkad naatak se hua hai?
Sasha- Ye nukkad naatak se hi hua hai aur baki ke jo log hotey hain sir.. wo bhi kuch na kuch kaam karte hain.
Reporter- To aapki kitni seats ho gayi thi Lok sabha elections mein?
Sasha- Basically aapko ek area provide karwa detey hain, humko mila tha Rohini ke aas pass ka..jo Lok Sabha mili thi mujhe, Lok Sabha seat mein.. ek Lok Sabha mein..bahut badi hoti hai wo, to usmein alag alag Vidhan Sabhaon mein…to wahi team chodh di thi, wahan 10-12 din ka program chalaya tha.
Reporter- To aapne lagatar 10-12 din tak nukkad naatak kiya roz, usmein kya karte they aap ?
Sasha- Yahi nukkad naatak.. script de di thi.
Reporter- Acha script yehi log detey hain.. political party?
Sasha- BJP to bana kar deti hai, AAP ko batana padta hai..ye ye hai..
Reporter- Ye openly karte ho aap?
Sasha- Haan haan..jaise ab BJP karwa rahi hai to ye hame provide karwa denge kurta, ek stole typa ka hota hai , to saamne dekhtey hi pata chal jayega ye BJP ke bande hain. Last time bhi inhone logo diya tha, bhagwa colour ke jootey diye they..basically this is a campaign.
Reporter- Kitna paisa detey hain ye log?
Sasha- Last time, inhone diya tha ek din ka lagbhag 15 hazar.
Reporter- To dus din kiya tha.. to ho gaye 1.5 lakh rupees.
[This interaction highlights how political parties employ meticulously planned campaigns, such as nukkad nataks, to engage directly with voters, allocating substantial resources to ensure visibility and impact. Even if we take the claims made by those staging these plays with a pinch of salt, the enduring influence of such grassroots tactics in elections cannot be underestimated.]
Sasha disclosed that for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP has invited nukkad natak groups to perform street plays aimed at influencing voters. Approximately 250 groups, including his, have applied for contracts. Confident about securing an opportunity, Sasha explained the selection process and elaborated on how the BJP allocates teams across constituencies, using its substantial resources to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Reporter- Ab jaise aapne XXXX…ko bulaya, ye kiska campaign hai ?
Sasha- BJP ka.
Reporter- Apply ki kya formality hai..?
Sasha- Source se sari cheezein pata chalti hain.. koi source gaya usne bataya..uske baad registration kar letey hain.
Reportre- Maan lo bhagwan na kare reject ho gaya aapka ..phir?
Sasha- Nahi.. rejection to nahi hoga, sir.. itni surety hai….ab jaise aap keh rahe hain aap 3 candidates de denge..to aapki bhi kuch baat cheet hogi.
Reporter- BJP abhi kitne par karwa rahi hai.?
Sasha- Jo entry bhari hai, 250 teams ke aas pass entry bhari hai.
Reporter- Aur aap confident ho aapko mil jayega.?
Sasha- Haan.. kitni seats hain?
Reporter- 70
Sasha- Haan to ye lagbhag 70 teams ko to kaam de hi denge. Aur ye log kya karte hain.. maan lijiye ek team ko inhoney 10 din ke liye hire kiya, to ek vidhan sabha mein 2-3 din mein utar detey hain.
Reporter- 70 ke 70 seats par karwa legi BJP?
Sasha- Karwaiyenge sir, BJP ke pass fund itna hai.
Reporter- Sara aap hi ko milega?
Sasha- Nahi- nahi.
Reporter- Aapko kitni seat ki sambhawana hai?
Sasha- Ek hi milegi sir..max 2..1-2 only, kyunki all over Delhi mein ek hi team nahi kar sakti na sir.
[The vernacular exchange highlights Sasha’s optimism and the importance of funding in running voter-focused campaigns. It also reveals the organised approach to using street plays, strategically spread across constituencies, and emphasizes the strong financial backing behind these efforts, enabling widespread voter engagement.]
When asked if he could manage campaigns for Congress and Aam Aadmi Party alongside BJP, Sasha confidently explained his strategy. He revealed that his group has separate teams for different parties, ensuring no overlap or mix-up. Interestingly, he mentioned that even BJP is aware of this arrangement but focuses solely on securing its own results. For nukkad natak performances, Sasha advised quoting Rs 20,000 per day to my supposed client, excluding expenses for food and script-writing.
Reporter- Agar mein aapko AAP aur Congress ke 2-3 candidates dilwa doon… kar logey aap..?
Sasha- Haan.
Reporter- Mix nahi ho jayega.?
Sasha- Nahi meri aur bhi teams hain..jaise mein particularly BJP ka kar raha hoon, doosri team Aam Aadmi Party ka kar legi….teesri team Congress kar legi. Actually ye cheez jo hai BJP walon ko bhi pata hai, yahan log aisey bhi hain jo kisi party ke hain aur doosri party ke liye kaam kar rahe hain..sabko sab pata hai sir, lekin unko to apne kaam se matlab hai na sir..aur hota kya hai BJP wale agar hum kahin ja rahe hain to ek person apna de detey hain…issey mein location lunga, coordination hoga wo saaath mein hi rahega person. Ussey kya hoga wo humko watch karta rahega hum koi galat information to pass nahi kar rahe hain.
Reporter- Acha mein kitna rate quote kar doon aapki taraf se ?
Sasha- Kar dijiye 20 ke aas pass.
Reporter- Jo 15 hazar aapne Lok Sabha mein kiye they usmein khana tha ?
Sasha- Nahi sir.
Reporter- Script aapki hogi ?
Sasha- Haan wo likhwani padegi bahar se uska bhi kharcha jayega.
[This dialogue reveals how nukkad natak campaign services often transcend party lines, driven by business considerations. It also highlights the professionalisation of grassroots campaigning besides offering a peek into practical logistics of handling multi-party campaigns and the unspoken understanding among political stakeholders.]
Sasha now outlined a significant difference in campaign strategies among BJP, Congress, and AAP. He explained that BJP’s central office directly manages nukkad natak contracts for elections. In contrast, Congress and AAP leave this responsibility to individual candidates, requiring theatre groups to approach them directly for work.
Sasha- BJP wale na kya karte hain mein apko bataon, jaise ab Delhi mein election hain, Delhi BJP ka jo office hai wo office hi se deal kartey hain direct…ab jaise ke unhone nikal diya ki aap log aa jao.
Reporter- Jitni bhi nukkad teams hai..?
Sasha- Haan. Ab jin jin logon ko pata chalta hai wo apna apply kar detey hain. Congress aur AAP ka kya hai unke liye particularly har candidate ke pass jana padta hai. Wo deal nahi karte jaise Delhi Pradesh hai.. Aam Aadmi Party ka wo deal nahi kartey…seedhe aap candidate ke pass jao.. candidate hi aapko kaam dega. Depend karta hai candidate par kaam karwayega ya nahi, yahi Congress mein hai.
[This conversation sheds light on the divergent operational strategies of political parties in managing grassroots campaigns. This contrast highlights the organisational centralisation of BJP’s campaign efforts compared to the decentralised approach of Congress and AAP.]
Now, Sasha elaborated on how nukkad nataks are a powerful tool to influence voters. He explained that the live interaction and entertainment aspects captivate the audience, creating a telling impact that digital platforms often fail to achieve. By engaging directly with people on the ground, these performances leave a lasting impression, even if only a fraction of the audience converts to the intended message. The direct and personal connection with the audience underscores the unique effectiveness of nukkad nataks as a campaign medium.
Reporter– Acha agar mein baat karun kisi candidate se AAP ke ya Congress ke.. to unka pehla sawal hoga kaise influence karenge..wo aap mujhe tareeka samjha do..?
Sasha- Sir tareeka itna sa hai, hamari jo script hogi na, aap jab bhi baat karenge, boliyega Nukkad naatak bahut acha platform hai, audience ko influence kiya ja sakta hai..kyunki hum jab bhi koi cheez phone par dekhte hain na ..scroll kar detey hain lekin jab man to man baat hoti hai..performance dikhatey hain 15 minute, 20 minute ka.. to usmein, ground par jaatey hain.. unse interact kartey hain.. to 15-20 minute mein entertainment purpose se usko dikhatey hain, jab dikhane lagte hain to log interest lene lagtey hain, kahin na kahin agar 100 log khade hain, 100 mein se 20 ke dimag mein bhi aa gayi to convert to ho hi gaya. To bahut acha platform hai entertainment ke hisaab se logon tak apni baat pahuchana aur log enjoy bhi kartey hain…gaaliyan padti hain artist ko padti hain par wo let go wali baat hoti hai, dekhiye jab hum aam janta ke beech mein jaatey hain netaon ko bhi galiyan padti hain phir hum to artist hain.
[This conversation highlights the irreplaceable impact of face-to-face interaction in voter outreach. It also reflects how performances, though challenging for artists, remain a crucial medium for grassroots communication.]
After Sasha, Tehelka now met Anurag Dwivedi of Maadhyam Nukkad Natak group of Delhi. Our meeting with Anurag Dwivedi revealed an interesting perspective. Once a medium for social awareness, nukkad nataks have now evolved into tools for advancing political agendas. Anurag shared how this transformation has enabled targeted voter influence, leveraging short, impactful performances across neighbourhoods without requiring large setups or crowds.
Anurag- Political agenda ke liye kabhi use nahi hua nukkad natak, social awareness ke liye hi use hota tha, lekin ab ye ho gaya hai ki political bhi, ek saath ek natak 10 minute mein aap apne saare agenda daal saktey ho, aap kahin bhi approach kar saktey ho, manch lagane ki zaroorat nahi, hazaron logon ko bulane ki zaroorat nahi hai, yadi aap ki gali mein 2 chaurahe hain to dono chaurahon par kar saktey hain. Agar 20-25 log is chaurahe par jama hain, 20-25 us chaurahe par to zaroori nahi hum unko bhi yahan bulaye, hum wahan bhi kar saktey hain.
[This interaction underscores the shift in purpose for nukkad nataks—from fostering social awareness to driving political messaging. It also highlights the growing role of these plays in modern political campaigning.]
Anurag expressed his reluctance to work with the BJP for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, citing a disappointing experience during the recent Jammu and Kashmir elections. He described how BJP’s extensive technical requirements—ranging from filling out multiple forms to providing photographic proof of performances on their app and WhatsApp channel—made the process challenging. Additionally, delayed payments further complicated matters, diminishing his interest in collaborating with them again.
Reporter- Abhi aapne BJP ke liye apply kiya hai 2025 mein ?
Anurag- Abhi nahi kiya hai, BJP ke liye nahi karna hai. Wo wala experience thoda sa acha nahi hua, hum itni door ja rahe hain, BJP ki technical cheezein zyad hain, hum apni artistic cheezein nahi de pa rahe hain, jitni unki technical cheezein hain…jaise wo form detey hai, usey bharo, kitne logon ne naatak kiya, kis location par kiya, us location se 3-4 vyaktiyon se sign bhi karwana. Uske baad unki ek app aati hai aur inka whatsapp channel bhi chalta hai, same photo inko group par bhi chahiye.. same app par bhi upload karo, artiston ki, wo itne zyada proof maang rahe hai naatak ke
Anurag (continues)- unki app par har ghante aapko photo upload karni hai, payment bhi aise nahi detey, uska bhi locha hai, Jammu mein itne saal baad ja rahe they, itne saal baad chunav ho rahe they, bahut kam log wahan jaane ko taiyar hue they, ye sab cheezein karne ke baad payment k liye bhi bahut zyada intezar karna padta tha…Karyalay jao wahan form bharo, agar aapne 10 din kaam kiya hai to 10 din ke form bharo..aapke pass photo proof bhi hona chahiye.
Reporter- Warna wo paise kaat lenge ?
Anurag- Haan
[The conversation reveals how excessive procedural demands alienated Anurag from the BJP. Ironically, it also demonstrates how bureaucratic rigidity, true to its nature, stifled artistic expression.]
Anurag claimed that his street plays had helped the BJP play its Hindutva card during the Jammu and Kashmir elections, focusing on themes like the Ram Mandir and Article 370. For his nukkad natak performances, he received Rs 2,200 per play and managed six to seven performances daily, a physically demanding schedule. He mentioned that the BJP itself, not individual candidates, deployed his team as part of a larger contingent of forty nukkad natak groups.
Reporter- Jammu mein to aapne BJP ka hindutva card khela hoga ?
Anurag- Haan wahi hai, Ram mandir ka mudda, 370 ka mudda, ye hi dono main mudde they. Mein to soch raha hoon aap jo hame denge.. hum usi ke ird- gird banayenge naatak.
Reporter- Kitna payment hota hai ek din ka?
Anurag- Ek din ka nahi sir ek naatak ka.. Rs 2200 diya ek natak ka…2200 ke hisab se 6 natak.. 7 natak.
Reporter- Din mein kitne kartey they?
Anurag- Din mein 6 se 7 naatak, ye hamari limit hai. 6-7 natak agar 10- 10 minute bhi kiya sir.. bahut energy lagti hai.
Reporter- Ye aapko party ne bualay tha ya client ne?
Anurag- Party ne bulaya tha sir, chalees teams gayi thi.
[The conversation underscores how political parties strategically deploy cultural performances to amplify their narratives on contentious issues. It also highlights the commercialisation of ideological narratives in political campaigns.]
Anurag confidently assured us that his performances could influence voters in favour of our candidates, emphasising his artistic prowess as proof. He insisted on cash payment, citing his experience that political parties typically pay in cash. For his services, he demanded Rs 10,000 per day for nukkad natak performances.
Reporter- Iski kya guarantee hai ke voter influence hoga?
Anurah- Mein ek artist hoon.. pehle aapko dikhaonga, aap influence honge tab aap karwayenge.
Reporter- Mode of payment kya hoga?
Anurag- Cash ya online…
Anurag (continues)- Lekin political party se aajtak online mila nahi hai hamko, jhoot nahi bol rahe hain, jahan bhi hua hai cash hi hua hai.
Reporter- Abhi agar hum aapse karwai to kitna payment logey?
Anurag- 10 hazar per day ka.
[The exchange reflects how grassroots campaigning relies on direct cash transactions. It also exposes the informal and opaque financial practices surrounding political campaigns, besides highlighting the performer’s role as a tool for voter persuasion.]
After meeting Anurag, Tehelka approached Dharamveer Mishra, a member of the Dharma Nukkad Natak group in Delhi and a performer in Aam Aadmi Party’s recent promotional song, “Phir Layengey Kejriwal.” We presented him with a fabricated deal involving independent candidates for the 2025 Delhi assembly elections. Dharamveer, without hesitation, revealed his experience as part of Prashant Kishor’s team during the 2014 general elections, where he contributed to BJP’s campaign through nukkad natak performances in Uttar Pradesh.
Dharmveer –Koi dikkat nahi sir. Pichle chunav mein Prashant kishor ki team ka hissa raha hoon mein. Nukkad team ka.
Reporter- Prashant kishor ka ?
Dharmveer –Haan
Reporter- Kab ?
Dharamveer- 2014 mein UP mein. Azamgarh maine sambhala tha, Akbarpur maine sambhala tha, Rampur bhi maine sambhala tha aur Agra bhi. Ye char…charon jagah nukkad naatak kiye the, 2014 ke chunav mein.
Reporter- Kiske liye kaam kar rahe they tab ?
Dharamveer- Tab BJP ke liye kaam kar rahe they.
Reporter- Acha Modi ke liye kaam kar rahe they.
Dharamver- Haan ji hum bolte they bacche aatey hain nukkad naatak mein.. boltey they koi dikkat nahi.. bacchon ke mind mein jab aayegi wo bolenge ghar jakar. Har Har Modi Ghar Ghar Modi…ismein hamne 3 seat jeeti thi aur ek seat hari thi.
[This conversation underscores the reach and impact of nukkad nataks in grassroots campaigning, especially in embedding slogans in public memory. Dharamveer’s insights reveal how political campaigns leverage creative street performances to build mass appeal.]
Dharamveer now claims to have organised a staggering 3–4 lakh political nukkad nataks for various parties across India since 2014. He believes these performances play a significant role in influencing voters by creating small but impactful chains of support.
Reporter- Ab aap ye batao Nukkad natak se kaise voters ko influence kar saktey ho aap.?
Dharamveer- Nukkad natak hota hai bheed karna. Subject diya uske baad hame usmein se 20-25 log ikathey karne padtey hain…usmein se 5 banda nikalta hai jo aapke paksh mein rehta hai. Aur wo paanch bande hi chain banwatey hain.
Reporter- Ye kaise pata aapko 5 bande hi banwatey hain chain..?
Dharamveer-Experience hai sir.. 2014 se.
Reporter- Aapne kitne political nukkad naatak elections ke abhi tak karwa diye.?
Dharaveer- Political natak to mein 3-4 lakh karwa chukka hoon abhi tak
Reporter- 3-4 lakh all over India?
Dharamveer- Haan all over India.. alag alag chunav mein.
[Dharamveer’s insights reveal how carefully crafted street plays can sway public opinion by creating chains of influence within small groups. It underscores the enduring effectiveness of grassroots campaigning in Indian elections.]
Now, Dharamveer outlined the structure and costs of his nukkad natak team, consisting of five members—one girl and four boys. He charges Rs 1,700 per performance, with costs covering travel, gathering the audience, and conducting the 20–25-minute act. The teams’ organised approach demonstrates how targeted messages are delivered directly to the people.
Reporter- Ek team mein kitne log honge..?
Dharamveer- 5 log; 1 ladki 4 ladke.
Reporter- Kitna kharcha hoga ?
Dharamveer- 1700 rupees ek naatak ka…aana jaana..public ko bulana wo 20-25 min ka hota hai ye sab..
[This conversation highlights how nukkad natak teams operate, including their makeup and the costs involved in running these grassroots campaigns. The financial aspects show the careful planning behind these performances, showcasing them as affordable tools for reaching voters.]
On January 1, 1989, thirty-four-year-old poet and playwright Safdar Hashmi, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, was performing a nukkad natak before a large crowd in support of Ramanand Jha, a CPM candidate, for the post of councillor in the Ghaziabad City Board elections, when he was brutally assaulted by Congress-backed candidate Mukesh Sharma, who was contesting against Jha. Safdar Hashmi succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. This tragic incident underscores the pivotal role the street plays have played in shaping voters’ opinion, to the extent that rival candidates resorted to extreme measures. Thirty-six years later, nukkad nataks remain a significant tool for voter outreach, adapting to modern political narratives while retaining their grassroots impact. Their continued prevalence highlights their enduring power as an influential medium in Indian politics.
