Choreographer’s National Award suspended

The National Film Awards Cell of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has suspended the National Film Award to be presented to choreographer Jani Master, citing allegations of sexual assault. The invitation to attend the 70th National Film Awards, to be held on Tuesday, was also withdrawn.

Jani Master, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, would have been felicitated for his work on the song ‘Megham Karukkatha’ in Tamil movie ‘Thiruchitrambalam’.

In a note dated October 4 and signed by Deputy Director Indrani Bose, the I&B Ministry’s cell said the invitation was extended “before the allegations under the POCSO Act came to light”. A city court on Thursday granted interim bail to Jani Master for attending the National Film Awards.

Last month, a woman, who worked as Jani’s assistant, alleged that he had sexually assaulted her in 2020. Later, it was disclosed that she was a minor at the time of the alleged offence, and Section of the POCSO Act was added.