HYDERABAD: A case has been registered against national award-winning Tollywood choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, popularly known as Jani Master, for allegedly repeatedly raping, harassing and hurting his 21-year-old former assistant.
According to the FIR, the complainant claimed that Jani Master sexually assaulted her multiple times during film shoots in Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and also at her residence in Narsingi after she moved to Hyderabad in 2017. She stated that he regularly demanded sexual favours and, upon refusal, would physically abuse and threaten her if she revealed the matter to anyone.
Speaking to TNIE, Rajendernagar DCP Ch Srinivas said, “We have completed recording the woman’s statement, and her medical examination has also been conducted. Jani Master is currently absconding, and we are taking further action.”
Asked whether the POCSO Act would be included in the charges as the complainant was a minor at the time of the alleged rape, he said they needed to conduct further probe.
This comes after several bigwigs in the Malayalam film industry were accused of sexual assault after the publication of the Hema Committee report. Top actors, including Samantha Ruth Prabhu, have urged the Telangana government to release a long-pending sub-committee report on sexual harassment and gender discrimination in Tollywood.
Jani used influence to prevent victim from getting hired: FIR
Meanwhile, taking to X, singer Chinmayi Sripada said, “Jani Master basically started abusing this girl when she was a minor… I truly wish this girl all the strength to fight through this.”
The complainant said that Jani Master ransacked her home, vandalised her vehicle, sent threatening parcels and even sent unknown men to intimidate her. She further claimed that he pressured her to convert to his religion and marry him, and that his wife had also assaulted her at her residence. On one occasion, he allegedly grabbed her hair and smashed her head against a mirror inside a vanity van.
The woman also stated that Jani Master used his influence in the industry to prevent her from getting hired for projects, depriving her of job opportunities. Initially registered as a zero FIR, the case was later transferred to the Narsingi police for further investigation. It was registered under Sections 376 (2)(n) (repeated rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Recently conferred national award
Jani Master began his career as a choreographer in 2009 and has worked in over 80 films, including Eega, Jai Ho, Baahubali: The Beginning and Geetha Govindam, collaborating with stars such as Rajinikanth, Salman Khan, Prabhas, Ram Charan, Jr NTR, Vijay Deverakonda, Ravi Teja, Nani and Allu Arjun.
The choreographer was recently conferred a National Award for his work on the song ‘Megam Karukkatha’ from the 2022 film Thiruchitrambalam, sharing the award with Sathish Krishnan.
His most recent project was the 2023 Rajinikanth-starrer Jailer.
Jani is also a supporter of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan and campaigned for him during the recent Assembly elections. However, on Monday, the JSP released a statement on X, directing Jani Master to stay away from party activities after the case was registered against him.
Taking cognisance of the issue, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce said an Internal Grievance Committee (ICC) will be convened and the inquiry will proceed as per the guidelines of the POSH Act, 2013.
(With inputs from BH Harsh)