The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has decided to suspend the National Film Award for choreographer Jani Master due to allegations of sexual assault. Jani Master, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, was set to receive the award for his work on the song Megham Karukkatha from the Tamil film Thiruchitrambalam during the 70th National Film Awards in New Delhi on October 8. The choreographer was arrested in Goa recently in respect to the sexual assault case and had then been granted interim bail to attend the awards ceremony.
A note from the National Film Awards Cell, dated October 4, stated: “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. Hence, the invitation extended to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the 70th National Film Awards Function to be held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 8.10.24 is hereby withdrawn.”
The allegations were made by a former assistant of Jani Master, who claimed she was sexually assaulted during a work trip in 2020. The police registered a case against him on September 15, which later included charges under the POCSO Act since the assistant was a minor at the time.