Award-winning Tollywood choreographer 'Jani master' booked for sexual assault

Jani Master, a renowned National Award-winning choreographer in the Telugu film industry, has been charged with raping a 21-year-old female colleague.

The case, filed on Sunday, adds to the ongoing scrutiny of sexual harassment within Indian cinema, following unresolved cases in the Malayalam film industry.

Prominent actors like Samantha and Lakshmi Manchu have urged the Telangana government to release the 2022 sub-committee report on sexual harassment and gender discrimination in Telugu cinema.

Jani Master, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman, also a choreographer, since 2019. According to her complaint, the assaults occurred multiple times in his vanity van, on film sets, and at outdoor shoots.

The woman alleges she was harassed and physically abused when she refused to comply with his demands.

The Narsingi police have registered the case under IPC sections 376(2)(n) for repeated rape, 506 for criminal intimidation, and 323 for causing hurt.

The woman claims Jani Master not only threatened her but also conspired to damage her career by visiting sets where she worked, warning that he would ensure she received no future opportunities.

Adding to the seriousness of the allegations, the woman stated that Jani Master's wife was also involved in physically assaulting her.

She reported incidents of harassment at her home, where Jani Master allegedly caused disturbances, threw items, and ransacked the place.

The SHO of Narsingi station, G Hari Krishna Reddy, confirmed that an investigation is underway to gather evidence.

The case has sparked further discussion about the need for accountability and transparency in the Telugu film industry amidst rising concerns over sexual misconduct.