Saffron artistes’ nukkad nataks to counter Left

To counter Left dominance in targeting “sectarianism” and their perceived prevalence in highlighting social issues through nukkad nataks (street plays,) pro-saffron actors, theatre personalities and filmmakers are joining hands to launch a platform, Udaan.

This initiative, which has seasoned actors like Anupam Kher, Manoj Joshi and Nitish Bhardwaj associated with it, will “promote the spirit of nationalism among youth” through nukkad nataks.

Though awareness on social issues, including contemporary themes, will be the main focus of these street plays, “vyangya (sarcasm)” on “award wapsi” and “intolerance”, on which the Narendra Modi government had faced severe criticism in 2015, could also be staged.

This initiative by actors, directors and theatrepersons close to the BJP and RSS, may also see street plays taking a dig at other issues over which the RSS, BJP and Modi government face criticism.

Censor Board member and actor Chandrakant Dwivedi, independent filmmaker Sudipto and novelist Advaita Kala are also part of the initiative, which will see a “mega competition” next month when the selected youths will stage their performance at Delhi University’s North Campus.

Scripts will be shortlisted and actors selected by panelists, including Mr Dwivedi, before the mega event at Delhi University, that would later be held at other places too.

Not just this, selected participants from the competition will also get a chance to attend a workshop by eminent theatre personalities at the National School of Drama.

The promoters of this initiative are also in touch with other Bollywood actors, theatre legends and directors including Vivek Agnihotri (Buddha in a Traffic Jam) to use these events for a talent hunt and cast the “lucky performers” in their next film.