Saanand Verma alleged that Gulshan Grover slapped him for real during the web series ‘First Copy’ shoot, calling it unprofessional. He said, “Gulshan Grover actually slapped me tightly in First Copy, for real… He did it intentionally, that wasn’t acting.” Verma added he felt angry but chose silence to avoid negativity.
Saanand Verma revealed that being slapped on camera has almost become routine for him, yet his experience with Gulshan Grover was unlike anything before. During the shoot of the web series ‘First Copy’, he claims, one slap went far beyond the limits of what he considers professional conduct.
Recalling the incident
During his chat with Siddharth Kannan, Saanand opened up about a troubling experience from the sets of ‘First Copy’. Reflecting on the memory, he said, “Gulshan Grover actually slapped me tightly in ‘First Copy’, for real. From the inside, I felt like slitting that man’s throat, but I didn’t say anything. I haven’t said anything till date, I’m revealing this for the first time here. He did it intentionally, that wasn’t acting.”
Taken by surprise during the scene
Verma described how the incident took him by surprise, saying the slap happened suddenly and left him no time to react. He added, “It was not acting wala thappad. And you didn’t even tell me that you’re going to slap me really. At least if you mentioned before, I would have been prepared for an actual slap. Felt nothing, I was in the scene, in my character. I completed it and left, didn’t say anything to anyone.”
Importance of communication between co-actors
When the topic turned to whether co-actors usually coordinate before performing physically intense scenes, Verma stressed how crucial mutual communication is on set. “It is important to state that before. But, he didn’t say that and slapped me aggressively. It is wrong. I was feeling very angry, but didn’t say anything because I wanted to stay away from negativity. I felt like picking up a chair and beating him. I kept smiling though.”
Used to comic slaps, but always with mutual understanding
Talking about his experiences on set, Verma mentioned that getting slapped is almost second nature to him because of his comic roles. Yet, he pointed out that there’s always a mutual understanding involved when such scenes are performed. “I have been slapped a thousand times as an actor. I don’t think any actor would have been slapped more than me. I am known for getting slapped. I have been slapped so many times in Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain, but there’s a certain way. Real mein nahi maara jaata hai.” Reflecting on another instance from Mardaani, he explained that even a real slap was carried out only after proper discussion. “My co-actor Digvijay came to me and asked whether he can slap me as the director was clear. I also agreed. There is a process to be followed,” he said.
Criticism of Gulshan Grover’s approach
Sharing his perspective on professional etiquette among actors, Verma said that even those who are known for doing realistic, high-intensity scenes usually handle such moments with care. However, he felt that wasn’t the case with Gulshan Grover. “I have heard that Anil Kapoor also slaps for real, but he apologises and extends his sympathies. But, Gulshan ji didn’t even do that. He is a self-obsessed man. He is tied to an image of being a bad man. He does all this to maintain that image,” he remarked, expressing his disappointment. Go to Source
