HYDERABAD: A case has been filed against national award-winning Tollywood choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, widely known as Jani Master, for the alleged repeated rape, harassment, and physical abuse of his 21-year-old former assistant.
According to the FIR, the complainant accused Jani Master of sexually assaulting her multiple times during film shoots in Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and at her home in Narsingi after she relocated to Hyderabad in 2017. She claimed that he regularly demanded sexual favors and, when refused, would physically abuse and threaten her to keep the incidents secret.
Rajendernagar DCP Ch Srinivas told TNIE, “We have recorded the woman’s statement and conducted her medical examination. Jani Master is currently absconding, and we are taking further action.” He also noted that the inclusion of the POCSO Act in the charges is under consideration, pending further investigation.
This case follows several high-profile sexual assault allegations in the Malayalam film industry, revealed by the Hema Committee report. Prominent figures, including Samantha Ruth Prabhu, have called on the Telangana government to release a delayed sub-committee report on sexual harassment and gender discrimination in Tollywood.
The FIR also details that Jani Master allegedly vandalized the complainant’s home and vehicle, sent threatening parcels, and dispatched unknown individuals to intimidate her. Additionally, he reportedly pressured her to convert to his religion and marry him, with his wife also being accused of assaulting her. On one occasion, he allegedly assaulted her inside a vanity van.
The complainant further claimed that Jani Master used his industry influence to block her from job opportunities. The case, initially filed as a zero FIR, has been transferred to the Narsingi police and is being investigated under Sections 376(2)(n) (repeated rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Jani Master, who began his career in 2009, has choreographed for over 80 films, including Eega, Jai Ho, Baahubali: The Beginning, and Geetha Govindam. He recently won a National Award for his work on the song "Megam Karukkatha" from the 2022 film Thiruchitrambalam. His latest project was the 2023 Rajinikanth film Jailer.
A supporter of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan, Jani Master campaigned for him in the recent Assembly elections. In response to the allegations, the JSP has directed Jani Master to refrain from party activities. 
The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce has announced that an Internal Grievance Committee (ICC) will be convened to investigate the matter in accordance with the POSH Act, 2013.