Telugu choreographer Jani Master arrested on sexual harassment charges

Renowned Telugu choreographer Jani Master, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, has been arrested following allegations of sexual harassment by a former employee. The complaint, filed by his 21-year-old assistant, accuses the choreographer of repeated sexual assault, including incidents when she was a minor.

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Jani Master, well-known for his work in popular Telugu and Tamil films, was taken into custody in Bengaluru and will be transferred to Hyderabad, as per sources on Wednesday. A zero FIR has been registered under sections 376(2)(n), 506, and 323 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), based on the assistant’s claims of prolonged sexual abuse and intimidation.

In response to the allegations, Jani Master has been suspended by the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and a workers' union. The investigation into the accusations is ongoing, with legal proceedings set to follow.

Jani Master gained widespread recognition for choreographing hit songs like Rowdy Baby from Maari 2, Butta Bomma, and Seeti Maar, and has contributed to major projects like Baahubali and Eega.

As the case unfolds, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan's party, Jana Sena, has publicly distanced itself from the choreographer. In an official statement, the party emphasized that despite previous collaborations in the entertainment industry, Jani Master has no direct ties to the political organization. The case has cast a spotlight on both the legal proceedings and the reactions within the South Indian film industry.