Saanand Verma Recalls Getting Slapped by Gulshan Grover on Set

Saanand Verma, popularly known as Saxena Ji from Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain, is no stranger to comedic slaps on screen. However, he recently opened up about a real-life incident where he received an unexpected slap from Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover during the web series First Copy. Speaking for the first time in a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Saanand described the experience as shocking and deliberate.

Saanand shared, “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've never spoken about it till now; I'm revealing this for the first time here. He did it intentionally — that wasn't acting.”

He further explained, “It was not an acting wala thappad. And you didn't even tell me that you were going to slap me for real. At least if you had mentioned it earlier, I would have been prepared for an actual slap. But I felt nothing; I stayed in character, finished the scene, and left without saying anything to anyone.”

When asked about the necessity of warning actors before a real slap, Saanand emphasized, “It is important to inform beforehand. But he didn't say anything and slapped me aggressively. It was wrong. I felt very angry but chose not to react because I wanted to avoid negativity. I even felt like picking up a chair and hitting him, but I kept smiling.”

Reflecting on how other actors handle such moments, Saanand said, “I've heard that Anil Kapoor also slaps for real, but he always apologises and expresses his sympathy afterward. But Gulshan ji didn't even do that. He's a self-obsessed man, tied to his image of being a bad guy. He does all this to maintain that image.”

Saanand Verma has made a mark in television and films alike. While he gained household fame for his role as Saxena Ji in Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain, his film credits include Mardaani, Raid, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, and Mission Raniganj. Known for his comic timing and versatility, Saanand has become a respected figure in Indian television and cinema.