Stuntwoman Geeta Tandon Claims Mistreatment by India Ke Top 1% Team, Reveals 9-Hour Wait with Son
Bollywood stuntwoman and stunt director Geeta Tandon has publicly criticized the production team of the reality show India Ke Top 1%, describing her experience on set as deeply disappointing. In a detailed social media post, Tandon alleged that she and her son were made to wait for nearly nine hours despite being invited as guests. She specifically addressed host Anil Kapoor, Farah Khan, and the production company, Banijay Asia, expressing her concerns about their treatment.
Hosted by Anil Kapoor, India Ke Top 1% features around 100 participants competing for a prize of up to Rs. 1 crore. The show airs on Star Plus and is also available for streaming on JioHotstar. Tandon mentioned that she agreed to appear on the program without any payment, hoping it would provide her with visibility. However, she claimed that the experience left her feeling disrespected.
Disappointment on Set
Tandon opened her post by reflecting on her two-decade career in the industry, stating, “20 years in this industry. And yesterday, I was reminded how little respect people working behind the scenes are sometimes given.” She explained her presence on the show, saying, “My name is Geeta Tandon. I have worked in the film and television industry for over two decades, as a body double for some of the biggest actresses in the country and as a stunt director.” She expressed pride in her work and shared that she was invited to interact with Anil Kapoor alongside her son.
According to Tandon, the production team had been persistent in their follow-ups regarding her appearance. She claimed she sacrificed a day’s work and even called her son back from Goa for the shoot. Tandon arrived at the set at 12:30 PM, only to be told that her segment would be filmed within a few hours. However, the wait extended throughout the day with minimal communication from the team. She alleged that she and her son were kept in a tent without proper updates about when they would be called.
Confrontation with Production Team
When Tandon confronted the production team about the delays, she was met with an unsatisfactory response. She recounted, “The production manager, Jaydeep, responded, ‘If they want to leave, let them leave. But they can’t leave without signing.’ Signing what? And why should anyone be made to feel that they cannot leave after being kept waiting all day?” After nearly nine hours, Tandon and her son left the set at 9:15 PM. She emphasized that since the appearance was unpaid, she expected at least basic courtesy and respect for their time.
In her message to Banijay Asia, Anil Kapoor, and Farah Khan, Tandon clarified that she was not implying they were directly responsible for the alleged incident. However, she wanted them to be aware of the treatment guests receive on the show.
Advocating for Respect in the Industry
Tandon concluded her post by addressing the broader issue of respect for professionals working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. She stated, “The person standing behind the camera deserves the same dignity as the person standing in front of it.” She dedicated her post to stunt professionals, junior artists, body doubles, technicians, background performers, and other guests, reiterating that respect should not depend on someone’s celebrity status.
