New Delhi: Shaik Jani Basha, a Telugu film choreographer and national award winner known as Jani Master, faces serious allegations of sexual abuse and assault. A woman has accused Basha of rape, criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt. The complaint led to the registration of an FIR on these charges.On September 11, the woman filed her complaint at Raidurgam police station, which subsequently registered a zero FIR and transferred the case to Narsingi police station. The complaint was lodged with the support of a womens organization, which assisted her in the legal process.Choreographers alleged abuse of powerAccording to officials, the victim first interacted with Jani Basha after she signed up for a television show at the age of 16. Bashas team reportedly contacted her with an offer to work as an assistant choreographer. The complaint details that Basha demanded sexual favors in exchange for employment.The victim alleges that Basha first assaulted her in a Mumbai hotel room during a shoot. She claims he threatened her with job loss if she reported the incident or told anyone about it. The FIR includes allegations that Basha continued to exploit and sexually assault her during subsequent shoots.POCSO act violationNarsingi police officials are considering whether Basha could face additional charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, given that the victim was a minor at the time of the initial alleged assaults.Watch video: A rape case has been filed against choreographer #JaniMaster after a 21-year-old woman accused him of #SexualAbuse during work trips to multiple cities. Incidents reportedly occurred in Hyd, Chennai, Mumbai. Narsingi SHO confirmed case on Sept 16, stating investigation is ongoing pic.twitter.com/dFLbnHv3yY— Informed Alerts (@InformedAlerts) September 16, 2024Victim alleges forced conversion, marriage proposalThe complaint further accuses Basha of pressuring the victim to convert and marry him. She asserts that the ongoing harassment and assaults forced her to seek work elsewhere, which angered Basha. She alleges that Basha and his wife physically assaulted her, and her career prospects in the Telugu film industry declined as a result. She also reports receiving anonymous threats on August 17 and 28, warning her to be cautious.Basha faces backlash from Jana Sena over allegationsIn response to the FIR, actor-politician Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena Party has requested Basha to refrain from participating in any party functions or activities. The situation has drawn significant attention, highlighting the impact of the allegations on both Bashas professional reputation and personal life.Notable achievements of Jani MasterJani Master is a renowned choreographer, boasting an impressive portfolio of iconic songs that have captivated audiences nationwide. One of his most notable works includes the chart-topping number Butta Bomma from Allu Arjuns blockbuster 2020 film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. Additionally, Jani Masters exceptional talent earned him a prestigious national award for his outstanding choreography in the song Megham Karukatha from the film Thiruchitrambalam, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the industry.
