NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has suspended the National Film Award for choreographer Jani Master due to sexual assault allegations.
The invitation for him to attend the 70th National Film Awards in New Delhi on October 8 has also been withdrawn.
Jani Master, real name Shaik Jani Basha, was set to be honored for his choreography in the song “Megham Karukkatha” from the Tamil movie “Thiruchitrambalam” released in 2022.
A note from the National Film Awards Cell, dated October 4, stated the invitation was sent before allegations under the POCSO Act surfaced.
The note read, “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Shaik Jani Basha for the 70th National Film Awards Function to be held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 8.10.24 is hereby withdrawn.”
A city court granted interim bail to Jani Master on Thursday after he filed a bail application to attend the National Film Awards.
Last month, a former assistant of Jani Master lodged a complaint alleging sexual assault during a work trip to Mumbai in 2020. She claimed continued harassment and threats followed not to disclose the incidents.
The Narsingi Police registered a case against him on September 15 under various IPC sections related to rape, causing hurt, and other offenses.
It was later revealed that the assistant was a minor at the time, prompting the addition of a POCSO Act section.
On September 19, Cyberabad police apprehended Jani Master in Goa and brought him to Hyderabad. He was presented before a city court and remanded to 14-day judicial custody.