Jani Master's National Award Suspended Pending Investigation In Rape Case Of Minor, Invite Withdrawn

Jani Master Controversy: Noted South Indian cinema choreographer Jani Master has been lodged in jail since September 19 after being accused of sexual assault by a co-worker. He was supposed to be out of jail on bail to receive his National Award for Best Choreography for Dhanush starrer Thiruchitrambalam (2022) in New Delhi on October 8. However, in a statement issued by the National Film Awards Cell, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, his honour has been suspended pending investigation into the case.

Additionally, the invitation extended to Jani Master to attend the 70th National Awards ceremony at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi has also been withdrawn. Now, a question looms over the status of his bail. Since Jani Master and Sathish Krishnan jointly received the National Award, the latter is still expected to attend the ceremony. 

 Jani Master's National Award suspended, read official statement 

Jani Master, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, was arrested after a 21-year-old woman accused him of sexually assaulting her over several years. On recording her statement, it was disclosed that she was a minor at the time of the alleged offence. Therefore, relevant section of POCSO Act, 2012 was added. After it was reported that Jani Master had been granted bail to attend the National Award ceremony in New Delhi on October 8, there was a huge outcry. A statement issued on the matter read, “The letter to attend National Film Award function for the year 2022 had been extended to Shri Shaik Jani Basha before the allegations of crime under POCSO Act came to light.”

It continued, “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. Hence, the invitation extended to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the 70th National Film Awards Function to be held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 8.10.24 is hereby withdrawn.”

The aftermath of rape allegations against Jani Master

After the allegations of rape against Jani Master came to light on September 15, a panel formed by the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce also launched a probe into allegations of sexual harassment against him.

Meanwhile, the Jana Sena party led by actor and Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan asked Jani Master to stay away from its programmes in view of the case registered against him. Jani Master had campaigned for the party in the recently concluded polls.