FIR against choreographer Jani Master after accusation of sexual assault by ex-colleague

Hyderabad:

An FIR has been filed against renowned choreographer of the Telugu film industry, Jani Master, after a former colleague accused him of sexually abusing her on multiple occasions over several years.

The plaintiff claims that the sexual harassment began when she was still a minor. A case has now been filed against Jani Master, who worked as a choreographer in major films such as Baahubali and Pushpa: The Rise.

The woman has alleged multiple cases of sexual harassment. She had approached the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce with allegations against the choreographer. The film chamber has a panel that handles sexual harassment cases. Jhansi, an actress and chairperson of the panel, told NDTV that the complainant was a minor when the sexual harassment started and that it would fall under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The film chamber took up the case and advised her to approach the police as well.

The film association also asked the Telugu Dance Directors Association, of which Jani Master is the chairman, to bar him from holding any office.

Following a complaint by the woman, an FIR was filed. Jani Master was charged under the sections of rape and criminal intimidation. The woman has stated in her complaint that she worked with Jani Master as an assistant.

She alleged that the choreographer sexually harassed her on several occasions during the shooting in different cities. She also said that her life was threatened and that the accused threatened not to give her any job opportunities.

Jani Master is a member of the Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena, which is part of the ruling coalition in Andhra Pradesh. The Jana Sena said Jani Master had been asked to stay away from the party's events.