A controversy has emerged around the sets of Anil Kapoor-hosted television show India Ke Top 1% after stunt director and body double Geeta Tandon alleged that she and her son were treated disrespectfully by the production team. In a social media post, Geeta claimed that the two were made to wait for nearly nine hours without proper communication or basic hospitality.
Her account has drawn attention to the working conditions and treatment of professionals who work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. The controversy also prompted host Anil Kapoor and filmmaker Farah Khan to respond publicly and apologise for her experience.
Geeta clarified that her intention was not to accuse the celebrities personally but to highlight the importance of treating every individual with dignity, regardless of their position or popularity.
Geeta Tandon Claims She Waited Nearly 9 Hours
According to Geeta's account, she was invited to appear as a guest on India Ke Top 1% along with her son. She said the production team had contacted her multiple times for the appearance, which she agreed to do without charging any fee because she believed it could offer her some professional visibility.
She also called her son back from Goa specifically for the shoot.
Geeta claimed that she reached the set at around 12:30 PM on November 4 and was initially told that her segment would be filmed within a few hours. However, the expected waiting period continued throughout the day.
In her Instagram post, she alleged that she and her son were made to sit in a tent without proper arrangements. She also claimed that there were no regular updates about when they would be called for the shoot.
Geeta said that despite repeatedly asking the team for information, she received no clear response. Eventually, she decided to confront the production team about the delay and the manner in which they were being treated.
Production Manager's Alleged Response Upsets Geeta
Geeta further alleged that when she questioned the production team, the production manager, identified by her as Jaydeep, responded in a manner she found disrespectful.
According to her post, he allegedly said, "If they want to leave, let them leave. But they can't leave without signing."
The statement left Geeta questioning why she and her son were being made to feel that they could not leave despite having waited for several hours.
She emphasised that agreeing to appear without payment did not mean that their time or dignity should be taken lightly.
Geeta eventually left the set with her son at approximately 9:15 PM, after spending nearly nine hours waiting.
She also clarified that she was not suggesting Anil Kapoor or Farah Khan had personally instructed anyone to treat them that way. Her concern was about the conduct of the people responsible for managing the guests and the production process.
Anil Kapoor Apologises to Geeta Tandon
Following Geeta's public post, Anil Kapoor responded in the comments section and expressed regret over her experience.
The actor said that he always wanted everyone associated with the show to feel welcome and respected. He also acknowledged that Geeta and her son had come as guests and apologised that their experience had left them feeling otherwise.
Anil wrote that he understood the importance of dignity and respect in the entertainment industry and would never want anyone to feel that they had been treated without it.
He also thanked Geeta for sharing her feedback and assured her that he was taking the matter seriously.
Geeta accepted the actor's apology and thanked him for speaking up. She added that all artists deserve respect and expressed hope that nobody else would have to face a similar experience.
Farah Khan Also Issues an Apology
Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan also responded to Geeta's post and apologised for what had happened.
Farah explained that she was unaware that Geeta and her son had been waiting at the venue. She said she had been occupied with the shooting of the show's second episode in the evening.
Farah added that if she had known about the situation, she would have offered them a place to sit in her van. She also said that both she and Anil had tremendous respect for Geeta and her hard work.
Geeta thanked Farah for acknowledging the issue and appreciating her contribution to the industry.
Who Is Geeta Tandon? The Stunt Professional Behind Bollywood's Leading Actresses
Geeta Tandon has worked in the film and television industry for more than two decades as a stunt performer, stunt director and body double.
She has performed challenging action sequences for several leading Bollywood actresses. Her work includes serving as Deepika Padukone's body double in Chennai Express, Kareena Kapoor Khan's in Udta Punjab, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's in Jazbaa.
She has also been associated with projects featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt and other prominent actresses.
Her post highlighted the risks and hard work involved in performing stunts, often without receiving the same public recognition as the stars appearing on screen.
Celebrities Support Geeta Tandon
Geeta's account received support from several members of the entertainment industry, including Tillotama Shome, Bhagyashree, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Ayesha Shroff.
Their reactions brought further attention to the contribution of stunt professionals, junior artists, body doubles, technicians and background performers.
The larger issue raised by Geeta is about workplace dignity and the unequal treatment that people working behind the camera can sometimes experience.
Geeta's Message: Respect Should Not Depend on Celebrity Status
The central message of Geeta's post was that respect should not be determined by someone's fame or position in the entertainment industry.
She pointed out that professionals working behind the scenes contribute significantly to films and television shows. Their time, effort and safety deserve the same consideration as those of actors and celebrities.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about professional courtesy and the treatment of guests and crew members on entertainment sets. While Anil Kapoor and Farah Khan have apologised, Geeta's account has brought attention to an issue that extends beyond one television show: every person working in the entertainment industry deserves dignity and respect.
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