The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has suspended the National Award to be given to choreographer Jani Master. The choreographer was accused of rape due to which he was in jail for a long time. But this week he was granted interim bail to attend the National Film Awards ceremony.
The real name of the choreographer popularly known as Jani Master is Sheikh Jani Basha. He won the National Award for Best Choreography for the song ‘Megham Karukkatha’ from the film ‘Thiruchitrambalam’. But on Friday (October 4), the National Film Award Cell of the I&B Ministry issued a statement informing about the suspension of Jani Master’s award.
Why was Jani Master’s award suspended
It was written in the statement- ‘In view of the seriousness of the allegation and the matter being sub judice, the competent authority has decided to suspend the National Film Award for Best Choreography to Mr. Sheikh Jani Basha for the year 2022 film Thiruchitramblam till further orders.’ Let us tell you that the SAIL has also withdrawn its invitation to Jani Master to attend the National Film Awards ceremony to be held in New Delhi on October 8.
Who accused him of rape?
Serious allegations of rape have been leveled against Jani Master. A woman who was his assistant choreographer had alleged that Jani Master sexually assaulted her during a work trip to Mumbai in 2020 and also threatened her not to tell anyone about it. After receiving the complaint, Cyberabad Police arrested Jani Master in Goa on 19 September. After this, Jani was produced in a Hyderabad court where he was sent to 14-day judicial custody.