Actors Anil Kapoor and Farah Khan have apologised to stunt professional Geeta Tandon after she alleged that she and her son were made to wait for nearly nine hours on the sets of the reality show ‘India Ke Top 1%’ without proper communication or basic hospitality.
According to Hindustan Times, Tandon shared her experience on Instagram, prompting responses from both celebrities. Kapoor, who hosts the show, expressed regret over her experience, while filmmaker Farah Khan said she had been unaware that Tandon was waiting on the set.
“I’m sorry that your experience left you feeling otherwise,” Kapoor wrote, adding that he took her feedback seriously and believed everyone involved in the show deserved dignity and respect.
Khan also apologised, explaining that she had been filming the second episode that evening and did not know Tandon was there. She said she would have offered her a place to sit in her vanity van had she known.
Tandon, who has more than two decades of experience as a stunt professional and body double, alleged that the production team had repeatedly invited her and her son to appear on the show as guests. Although the appearance was unpaid, she agreed, hoping it would provide them with visibility. She said she gave up a day’s work and called her son back from Goa for the shoot.
According to Tandon, they arrived at around 12.30PM and were told the segment would be filmed within a few hours. However, the wait continued without clear updates. She alleged that they were left sitting in a tent with little access to basic hospitality.
When she eventually asked about the delay, Tandon claimed a production manager told her they could leave but could not do so without signing a document. She and her son left the set at around 9.15PM.
Tandon clarified that her post was not intended to blame Kapoor or Khan personally. Instead, she wanted to draw attention to the treatment of people working behind the scenes in the film industry.
“The person standing behind the camera deserves the same dignity as the person standing in front of it,” she wrote.
Her post received support from several actors. Tillotama Shome praised Tandon’s dedication and recalled the physical risks she had taken while performing stunts for actors. Bhagyashree also stressed that everyone involved in filmmaking deserved equal respect, while Shriya Pilgaonkar described the alleged treatment as unacceptable.
‘India Ke Top 1%’ is a quiz show that tests contestants’ logic, observation, pattern recognition and common sense rather than their ability to recall facts. Based on the British format ‘The 1% Club’, the programme is designed to let viewers participate from home.
