Chhupa Rustam turns 25: India’s original candid camera phenomenon

25 years ago, on this day, Chhupa Rustam premiered on Star Plus.

Debuting in 1999, Chupa Rustam was India’s first hidden camera show—a format that took unsuspecting citizens, elaborate pranks, and the thrill of the unexpected, and blended it into bite-sized television gold. In an era when Indian audiences were only just warming up to reality-based content, Chupa Rustam arrived like a jolt of adrenaline.

Going down the memory lane, Arun Thapar, who hosted the show, shared, “It was part of a bold wave of new programming designed to entertain a diverse, pan-Indian audience—and it worked! Our weekly comedic offering quickly became the quintessential Sunday noon family watch: light-hearted, joyful, and unexpected. In the years that followed, the show made its way to Pogo and then back to its place of brith, NDTV.

“Chhupa Rustam was India’s very own candid camera, catching India off-guard with unscripted humour, warmth and delightful chaos. Over the seasons, its popularity made it harder and harder to shoot. Filming guerrilla-style in public places became a real challenge—audiences were catching on,” Thapar recollected.

“We were a lean, passionate, slightly mad bunch of young creators, eager to push boundaries while always respecting the line. A tricky balance—one I’ve come to value greatly, given the many sensitivities that exist in India. Though admittedly, the world did seem a little simpler at the turn of the millenium.

Technically, the show was no cakewalk. And we insisted on authenticity. Every gag was shot candidly—no plants, no second takes. The camera rolled, the setup unfolded, and whoever wandered into the frame became the star. We pulled off the unlikeliest of gags, witnessed the most bizarre moments, and always—always—ended in laughter. But most remarkably, the show was living proof of India’s large-hearted spirit,” he shared in a LinkedIn post.