Choreographer Jani Master faces sexual assault probe through Telugu footage

The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) on Tuesday released an official statement on the sexual abuse case against Telugu choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, better known as Jani Master. On Monday, September 16, it was reported that Jani had allegedly sexually abused a junior choreographer on “multiple occasions”. In its statement, the TFCC now mentioned that a sexual redressal committee is looking into the woman's complaint and investigations have been initiated.

The statement said, “Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce has received a complaint of sexual harassment from a choreographer who is a member of Telugu Film & TV Dancers & Dance Directors Association. This complaint has been forwarded to the Sexual Harassment Redressal Panel of Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (sic).”

The committee added that it is aware that the victim has filed an FIR in the case and will undertake the relevant procedure on its side. The statement further said, “The Internal Complaints Committee has met and the investigation is continuing as per the guidelines of the POSH Act 2013. We are aware that the aggrieved party has filed a complaint with the police department for which an FIR has been registered.”

TFCC also urged the media to protect the complainant’s identity by reporting on the case with restraint.

The Cyberabad police filed a complaint against the choreographer for sexually assaulting the woman during outdoor shoots. In her police complaint, the woman alleged that he assaulted her multiple times during her shoots in various cities, including Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad. She added that Jani even assaulted her multiple times in her own residence in Narsingi in Hyderabad.

The police have filed charges against the choreographer under clause (2) and (n) of Section 376 (rape), intimidation (506) and intentional assault (323) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Jani is known for working with many popular stars from Bollywood and the South Indian film industry. He has worked in films like Stree 2, Pushpa, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Devara, Varisu and Khel Khel Mein among others. He is also associated with Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Pawan Kalyan and was seen working for the Jana Sena Party in the recently concluded assembly elections.