'Treated Like Nothing': Stunt Pro Geeta Tandon Slams India Ke Top 1% Set Culture; Anil Kapoor Apologises
Stunt professional Geeta Tandon claims she and her son were ignored for 9 hours on the set of India Ke Top 1%. Anil Kapoor responds.
The glitz and glamour of reality television often hide a grueling reality behind the scenes. Stunt professional and veteran body double Geeta Tandon has sparked a conversation about dignity in the entertainment industry after alleging a distressing experience on the sets of the Anil Kapoor-hosted show, 'India Ke Top 1%'.
Tandon, who has spent over two decades working as a stunt director and a body double for some of India's most prominent actresses, took to Instagram to share a detailed account of what she described as a complete lack of respect and communication by the production team.
A Nine-Hour Wait in a Tent
According to Geeta, she and her son were invited to appear as guests on the show. Despite the appearance being unpaid, Tandon agreed to the invitation, hoping it would provide some visibility for her work. She revealed that she sacrificed a full day of professional work and specifically requested her son to return from Goa to be part of the shoot.
The ordeal began when she arrived at the set at 12:30 PM. While she was initially told that her segment would be filmed within a few hours, the reality was far different. Tandon alleges that she and her son were relegated to a tent where they waited for nearly nine hours.
"My son and I were made to sit in a tent, with barely anyone available to even ask for tea or coffee. No proper communication. No updates. No clarity about when we would be called," she wrote.
'If They Want to Leave, Let Them Leave'
The frustration peaked when Tandon sought updates on the schedule. She claims that the production team remained vague, offering no concrete answers. When she finally questioned the production manager about the prolonged delay, the response she received was allegedly dismissive.
Tandon alleges that the production manager stated, "If they want to leave, let them leave. But they can't leave without signing." This comment left Tandon feeling trapped and undervalued, as she and her son eventually departed the set around 9:15 PM without the promised filming taking place.
A Plea for Dignity Behind the Camera
Beyond her personal grievance, Tandon used the incident to highlight a systemic issue within the film and television industry: the disparity in treatment between those in front of the camera and those working behind it.
She mentioned that filmmaker Farah Khan was also a guest on the set that day. While Tandon clarified that she does not hold Anil Kapoor or Farah Khan personally responsible for the production team's behavior, she wanted to bring the incident to their attention.
"The person standing behind the camera deserves the same dignity as the person standing in front of it," Tandon emphasized, noting that her 20 years of hard work and survival in the industry should have earned her basic professional courtesy.
Anil Kapoor Responds
The allegations did not go unnoticed. Host Anil Kapoor responded directly to Geeta Tandon in the Instagram comments section, expressing his regret over the situation.
Kapoor apologized for the experience, stating that it saddened him to hear that Tandon and her son felt unwelcome. He asserted that as the host, he intends for everyone involved in the show to feel respected, acknowledging that dignity is paramount in the industry.