Imagine feeling genuinely threatened, even physically harmed, on a film set. That's the allegation Saanand Verma is making against veteran actor Gulshan Grover, claiming a slap in a scene for their web series 'First Copy' went way too far. Was it just method acting, or something more sinister?
Saanand Verma, known for his comedic roles, recently opened up about an incident he describes as deeply unprofessional and even violating. He alleges that during the filming of 'First Copy', Gulshan Grover slapped him for real, and with considerable force. Verma claims the slap wasn't part of the acting, wasn't discussed beforehand, and left him feeling genuinely angry and violated. He said during an interview with Siddharth Kannan, "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."
While getting slapped might seem like an occupational hazard for an actor, especially one often playing comedic roles, Verma insists this was different. He explained that in his experience, even when physical contact is involved, there's always a level of communication and consent between actors. For example, he mentions being slapped numerous times on the set of 'Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain', but those were always carefully choreographed and controlled. He even shared an example from the movie 'Mardaani' where his co-actor Digvijay sought consent before delivering a real slap, as directed.
But here's where it gets controversial... Verma claims Grover didn't offer that courtesy, leaving him caught off guard and genuinely hurt. He described the moment: “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."
Verma emphasized the importance of communication, stating, “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."
And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about the physical act, but the feeling of disrespect and disregard for an actor's well-being. Verma suggests that Grover's actions might be tied to maintaining a 'villain' image, a perception Gulshan Grover himself has acknowledged affecting his personal life, with women reportedly avoiding him off-screen due to his on-screen persona.
Verma didn't hold back his criticism of Grover’s approach, contrasting it with other actors known for intense performances. “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 stated, expressing his disappointment in Grover's alleged behavior.
This raises several important questions: Is 'method acting' ever an excuse for endangering or disrespecting a fellow actor? Where do we draw the line between commitment to a role and unprofessional conduct? And should actors be held accountable for actions that, while performed in the context of a scene, cross the boundaries of consent and safety? What do you think? Was Gulshan Grover out of line, or is this simply part of the often-uncomfortable reality of filmmaking? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
