MUMBAI: Prominent Bollywood stunt coordinator Geeta Tandon has leveled serious allegations of mistreatment against the production team of Anil Kapoor’s reality show, India’s Top 1 Percent. The incident, which also involved her son, has triggered widespread industry discussion regarding the treatment of behind-the-scenes crew members, eventually prompting public apologies from host Anil Kapoor and filmmaker Farah Khan.
Industry Backlash Follows Mistreatment of Veteran Stunt Coordinator
According to Tandon, she and her son were invited to appear on the show as special guests and had agreed to participate pro bono. Despite arriving on set promptly at 12:30 PM as scheduled, they were allegedly left waiting inside a tent for nearly nine hours without any official communication or explanation until 9:15 PM.
When Tandon raised concerns over the prolonged delay and lack of hospitality, a production manager reportedly responded with disrespectful behavior, causing severe distress to her and her son. In a detailed social media post, Tandon emphasized that she did not seek preferential treatment, especially since the production team had repeatedly reached out to invite them. She noted that after dedicating their time without financial compensation, they expected basic human dignity and professional courtesy.
“The hard work of individuals working behind the camera deserves just as much respect as those in front of it,” Tandon wrote, stressing that a person’s professional background should not dictate how they are treated.
Public Apologies Issued
Following the viral traction of Tandon’s post, prominent choreographer and director Farah Khan responded by offering a personal apology. Khan stated that she was entirely unaware of Tandon’s presence on set, adding that she would have otherwise accommodated her in her personal vanity van. Khan praised Tandon’s dedication and long-standing contributions to the industry.
Show host Anil Kapoor also addressed the controversy, expressing deep regret over the incident. Kapoor stated that as a host, his priority is to ensure every guest feels valued and respected. Acknowledging that Tandon and her son were invited guests, he formally apologized for the oversight and the distressing experience they faced.
About Geeta Tandon
Geeta Tandon is a highly respected figure in the Indian film and television industry, boasting a career spanning over two decades as a stunt performer and coordinator. She has worked as a body double for leading Bollywood actresses, including Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Her extensive filmography includes performing high-risk action sequences in major box-office hits such as Chennai Express, Singham, Ra.One, Sultan, and the acclaimed streaming series The Family Men.
The incident has reignited industry-wide debates concerning workplace equality, demanding that production houses extend the same standard of professional respect to technicians and stunt professionals as they do to mainstream actors.
