On Friday, 4th October, famous choreographer Jani Master’s National film award was suspended by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting over rape allegations of a minor girl. He had won the National Award for Best Choreography for Megham Karukkatha, a song from the movie titled Thiruchitrambalam.
Indrani Bose, the deputy director signed a letter which read, “In view of the seriousness of the allegation and the matter being subjudice, the Competent Authority has decided to suspend the National Film Award of the Best Choreography for the Year 2022 to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the film Thiruchitrambalam until further orders.” The cell has also withdrawn the invitation of the National Film Award ceremony.
He was taken into the custody on 19th September 2024, when a complaint was registered at the Raidurgam Police Station, Hyderabad. The complained was registered against Jani for alleged sexual assault and harassment by an employee. The victim of this sexual assault was a minor girl. He was arrested and taken into custody by Telangana Police in Goa.
A woman who was Jani Master's assistant choreographer, had alleged that Jani Master had sexually assaulted her in 2020. This incident took place during a work trip to Mumbai and then Jani continued the sexual harassment. When the FIR was registered, it was revealed that she was a minor at the time of the alleged crime. As a result, a section of the POCSO Act, 2012, was also included.
Who is Jani Master?
Jani Master also known as Shaik Jani Basha is a 42-years-old Indian dance choreographer. He predominantly works in Hindi, Telegu, Kannada and Tamil movies. He hails from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. He has married to Ayesha, a classical dancer, and they have a son and a daughter.
He has choreographed many songs, in various dance styles, especially Western and folk styles. He has received a National Film Award, three Filmfare Awards South and three SIIMA Awards.
He started his career as a dancer in Telegu movies. He had apperared in a Telegu dance reality show Dhee. He was then given the opportunity to choreograph film Drona in 2009. Jani worked as a choreographer for multiple actors such as Ram Charan, Pawan Kalyan, Allu Arjun, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Pothineni and Ravi Teja.