Well-known choreographer of Telugu film industry Jani Master has accepted the charge of sexually assaulting his former employee. Police said that the 21-year-old victim met Jani Master at an event in 2017. Two years later, Master offered her a job as an assistant choreographer, which she accepted. It is alleged that Master sexually assaulted the victim in a hotel during a show in Mumbai.
On Thursday, Jani Master, who was suspended by the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and Workers Union, was detained in Bengaluru and will be taken to Hyderabad. Master has worked in films like ‘Baahubali’ and ‘Pushpa: The Rise’.
The police report states that the victim, who was 16 years old at the time, was repeatedly sexually abused for four years. The victim alleges that Jani Master also forced her to convert to his religion and “marry” him.
In her complaint, the victim said that Jani Master and two other male assistants had gone to Mumbai. The victim said that she usually stays with her mother but this time it could not be so as their tickets were not available. The victim has also alleged that Master threatened her with physical violence if she lodged a complaint and mentally harassed her during photoshoots and rehearsals.
Actress Jhansi, chairperson of the chamber’s sexual assault investigation panel, told NDTV that the charges of sexual assault and criminal intimidation levelled against Master were punishable under the stringent POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse) Act.
