Shocking Set Revelation: Saanand Verma Accuses Gulshan Grover of Unannounced, ‘Real’ Slap; Felt Like ‘Slitting His Throat’
Bollywood Shockwave: Saanand Verma Breaks Silence on Unprofessional Conduct and a Real Slap from Gulshan Grover
The usually jovial and eccentric face of television, Saanand Verma, widely celebrated for his portrayal of Anokhelal Saxena in the immensely popular show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain (Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain), has dropped a bombshell revelation that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. In a candid and explosive recent interview with journalist Siddharth Kannan, the actor opened up for the first time about a deeply disturbing on-set incident involving veteran Bollywood star Gulshan Grover, alleging he was slapped aggressively, without warning, and for real, during the shoot of their upcoming web series, First Copy.
Verma’s revelation goes beyond a mere retelling of a difficult scene; it shines a harsh light on alleged unprofessionalism and disregard for a co-actor’s boundaries. The actor, known for his ability to take countless comic slaps on his TV show, admitted the real-life blow from the ‘Bad Man’ of Bollywood left him feeling such intense fury that he had homicidal thoughts, stating, “From the inside, I felt like slitting that man’s throat, but I didn’t say anything.”
The Unannounced Assault on the Set of First Copy
The incident took place during the filming of the web series First Copy, a project that also features comedian and reality star Munawar Faruqui. While Saanand Verma is perhaps the most slapped actor on Indian television, a quirk that is part of his signature character, he emphasized that this experience was fundamentally different and profoundly disturbing.
“I have been slapped a thousand times as an actor,” Verma shared, adding that he doesn’t believe any other actor has been hit more than him. “I am known for getting slapped.” However, he clarified the crucial difference: the slaps on Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain or any other set were professional, choreographed, or at the very least, executed with mutual consent and communication.
“Gulshan Grover actually slapped me tightly in First Copy, for real,” Verma stated unequivocally. He stressed, “It was not acting wala thappad.” The most egregious breach of on-set etiquette, according to Verma, was the complete lack of a warning.
In the professional world of cinema and television, especially for scenes involving aggressive physical contact, it is an unwritten rule and a matter of basic respect for the co-actor to be informed if the action is intended to be a real blow for authenticity. This allows the performer to mentally prepare and consent. Saanand Verma confirmed that Gulshan Grover failed to provide any such heads-up.
“And you didn’t event tell me that you’re going to slap me really,” he recounted. “At least if you mentioned before, I would have been prepared for an actual slap.” The unannounced, aggressive nature of the slap is what turned a professional requirement into a personal transgression.
The Internal Struggle: Anger vs. Professionalism
Verma’s description of his internal reaction paints a picture of extreme, barely contained rage. He detailed the intensity of his emotional response, confessing that in that moment, he felt a violent impulse. “I felt like picking up a chair and beating him,” he revealed.
Despite this intense provocation, Verma, a seasoned professional, chose a path of silence and composure. He completed the scene, kept his emotions in check, and did not speak to anyone about the incident until this recent interview. His reasoning for the delayed revelation was a desire to avoid negativity and controversy on the set and disruption to the project.
“I kept smiling though,” he said, a chilling detail that highlights the dichotomy between the actor’s on-screen persona and the harsh reality of the incident. His decision to remain silent for a long period underscores the difficult position junior or television actors can find themselves in when working with established senior Bollywood stars, where questioning conduct can potentially lead to professional repercussions.
A Question of Courtesy: Gulshan Grover vs. Anil Kapoor
To further highlight the lapse in professional conduct, Saanand Verma drew a sharp comparison between Gulshan Grover’s actions and the reported etiquette of other senior actors in the industry. He specifically mentioned Anil Kapoor, who is also known to sometimes opt for a real slap in scenes for realism.
“I have heard that Anil Kapoor also slaps for real, but he apologises and extends his sympathies,” Verma explained, pointing out the standard of courtesy that should follow such an action. The crucial difference, he claimed, was that “Gulshan ji didn’t even do that.”
This lack of an apology or even a gesture of regret led Verma to sharply critique his co-star, labelling him a “self-obsessed man.” Verma suggested that Grover’s aggressive, uncommunicated move was a deliberate attempt to maintain his on-screen image as a villain, saying, “He is tied to an image of being a bad man. He does all this to maintain that image.”
On-Set Ethics and the Conversation Continues
Saanand Verma’s interview has reignited a crucial debate within the industry about on-set etiquette, consent, and the power dynamics between actors. While realism in performance is a sought-after quality, the means to achieve it must remain within professional and ethical boundaries. The standard practice requires clear communication and a pre-determined process for any physically intense action, even down to a simple slap. The intentional, unannounced use of real physical force is a clear violation of this trust and a breach of fundamental workplace respect.
Verma’s bravery in coming forward with this story, years after the incident, is a testament to the need for a safer and more transparent working environment for all performers, regardless of their position in the industry hierarchy. The entertainment world is now waiting for a response from Gulshan Grover or the production team of First Copy regarding these serious allegations of aggressive and unprovoked conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Saanand Verma and who did he accuse of slapping him?
A: Saanand Verma is a popular Indian television actor best known for his quirky role as Anokhelal Saxena (‘Saxena Ji’) in the comedy series Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain. He has accused veteran Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover of slapping him for real, aggressively, and without any prior warning during the shoot of their web series, First Copy.
Q2: When and where did the alleged slapping incident take place?
A: The incident occurred during the filming of the web series First Copy. Saanand Verma only recently revealed the details in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, stating that the event was an unannounced, deliberate act by Gulshan Grover during the performance of a scene.
Q3: Why is the incident considered unprofessional if the scene required a slap?
A: While a scene may require a slap, professional on-set etiquette dictates that co-actors must communicate and consent beforehand if a ‘real’ or forceful physical contact is going to be used, rather than a staged ‘acting’ slap. Saanand Verma claims that Gulshan Grover delivered the slap aggressively and without this crucial disclaimer, which he considers a severe breach of professional conduct.
Q4: What was Saanand Verma’s immediate reaction to being slapped?
A: Saanand Verma expressed extreme anger and an internal impulse to retaliate, stating he felt like “slitting that man’s throat” or “picking up a chair and beating him.” However, he maintained his professionalism on set, completed the scene with a smile, and chose to remain silent about the incident until his recent interview to avoid negativity.
Q5: Has Gulshan Grover responded to these allegations?
A: As of the time of this report, there is no public statement or response from Gulshan Grover regarding Saanand Verma’s serious allegations. The industry and media are awaiting his comments on the matter.
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