Pushpa producer Ravishankar has rubbished speculations about superstar Allu Arjun and filmmaker Sukumar’s involvement in choreographer Jani Master’s sexual assault case. Sheikh Jani Basha, 42, also known as Jani Master, was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly assaulting a woman when she was still a minor.

Ravishankar was promoting Telugu film ‘Mathu Vadalara 2’ in Hyderabad when he was asked about Allu Arjun and Sukumar’s names coming up in the film. Jani Master controversy.

When asked if Sukumar and Arjun had promised to provide professional help to the alleged victim, Ravi replied, “Whatever happened between the girl and Jani Master is private to them. She was hired as an additional choreographer for our film long back and she will continue to be there throughout the filmmaking process. Jani Master was supposed to choreograph a special number for Pushpa 2, but it happened two days earlier than we had planned.”

He said that given Arjun’s stature, he will not favour anyone or give anyone a professional advantage. Ravi said, “The hero (Allu Arjun) doesn’t care who is on the set, he just has to say good morning and follow the steps he has given. He has been unnecessarily dragged into this. With his stature, why would he stop anyone from working or promote someone else? We are all just professionally associated with both of them.”

Allu Arjun and Sukumar’s names were dragged into the matter when actress Jhansi spoke to the press last week on behalf of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. She said, “I want to assure that the Telugu film industry is united on this issue. It may seem like no one is speaking for them publicly, but they have been assured of work by a big director, at least two producers and a big hero behind the scenes. The industry will always support talent.” It was then believed that Jhansi was talking about the superstar and the filmmaker.

According to our sources, the police have confirmed this. Jani Master confessed to the crimePolice reports reveal that Jani has been charged under sections 376 (2) (punishment for sexual assault), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He is currently in 14-day judicial custody after being arrested in Goa on September 19, 2024.