Choreographer Sheikh Jani Basha, popularly known as Jani Master, has had his National Film Award canceled in response to a sexual harassment case filed against him by his assistant choreographer. Jani Master was arrested in Goa earlier this month on charges related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.

In a statement issued by the National Film Awards Cell of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Jani Master Award has been suspended. Furthermore, the invitation given to Jani Master to attend the 70th National Film Awards ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi has been cancelled.

Read the statement here:

On 4 October, Jani Master was granted temporary bail from 6 to 10 October, with the condition that he surrenders himself in court by 10:30 am on 10 October. The purpose of this interim bail was to allow the choreographer to participate in the National Film Awards. ceremony on October 8, where he was to receive the prestigious Best Choreography award for his work in the Dhanush-starrer Thiruchitrambalam.

However, there has been no update regarding the decision on his temporary bail.

Jani Master was arrested in Goa following a complaint by a 21-year-old woman from Madhya Pradesh, who accused him of sexual harassment when she worked as an assistant choreographer. According to the complaint, she met him in 2017. Two years later, they offered him a position as assistant choreographer, which he accepted. The alleged attack took place at a hotel in Mumbai where he was staying for a show.

The woman also alleged that Jani Master threatened her with physical violence if she reported the incident and mentally harassed her during photoshoots and rehearsals.

Written by Anisha Rao