New Delhi, India

Telugu choreographer Jani Master is currently behind bars under serious allegations of sexually assaulting his minor female colleague. Jani was speculated to step out of the jail to attend the National Award ceremony in New Delhi on October 8.

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Master was conferred with the prestigious honour for Best Choreography for Dhanush starrer Thiruchitrambalam (2022). However, after serious allegations, the government revoked the National Award. 

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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting suspended the award a few days before the scheduled ceremony. 

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The letter issued by the ministry and signed by deputy director Indrani Bose, reads, as per reports, “In view of the seriousness of the allegation and the matter being subjudice, the Competent Authority has decided to suspend the National Film Award of the Best Choreography for the Year 2022 to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the film Thiruchitrambalam until further orders.”

The Awards cell has also withdrawn the invitation to attend the 70th National Awards ceremony at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. 

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The news of award revocation comes a few days after he was granted interim bail by the Ranga Reddy District Special Court. He got the temporary bail from October 6th to October 10th.

On Sept 19, Master was arrested in Goa by the Telangana police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Jani, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, was accused of sexually assaulting his female colleague, who claimed that the choreographer had harassed her multiple times since she started working with him. 

As per the police remand report, the girl was 16 years old at the time when the choreographer started sexually abusing her. 

Master is a renowned choreographer and has worked in popular films like Baahubali and Pushpa: The Rise, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.