Hyderabad: Choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, widely known as Jani Master, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman. The case has drawn significant attention in light of the rekindled #MeToo movement in the film industry, following the release of the Hema Committee report in Kerala.

The Raidurgam police in Cyberabad registered a zero FIR against Jani Master following allegations of sexual assault by a fellow choreographer. The FIR was subsequently transferred to the Narsingi Police Station, which has now filed a case against him, charging him with rape and criminal intimidation.

The complainant, a 21-year-old woman, alleged in her report that Jani Master sexually assaulted her multiple times. She first encountered the choreographer in 2017 and began working as his assistant in 2019. According to her complaint, the assaults occurred during shoots in various cities, including Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. The woman claimed that during a shoot in Mumbai, Jani Master raped her in a vehicle and threatened her not to disclose the incident. Additionally, she reported multiple assaults at her residence in Narsingi.

The complainant also told the police that she received a threatening parcel on 28 August, with a note reading, “This is your last shooting.” She alleged that Jani Master had threatened to ruin her career opportunities and endanger her life.

In 2019, Jani Master was sentenced to six months in prison by a local court in Medchal in connection with a 2015 brawl at a college. He was initially charged with assault, causing hurt, and criminal intimidation under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the court later quashed the assault charge and sentenced him only under the remaining sections.

Earlier this year, dancer Satish filed a complaint with the Raidurgam police accusing Jani Master of harassment and obstructing his work opportunities. Jani Master denied these allegations. 

The new case emerges at a time when the release of the Hema Committee report has prompted disclosures of sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry. The report has also sparked significant discourse and advocacy in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka’s film fraternities.

The connection to the #MeToo movement and the Hema Committee is evident, given that the movement significantly impacted the Malayalam industry and led to the formation of the Hema Committee in 2017 following a high-profile assault incident.

The case against Jani Master is likely to trigger a similar wave in the Telugu industry.