Ram Charan-Janhvi’s ‘Chikiri Chikiri’ Song From ‘Peddi’ Is Choreographed By POCSO Accused Jani Master

Very little changes in the film industry for alleged perpetrators of reported crimes as heinous as rape/sexual harrassment/outrage of modesty at least in the south of India. Those with power and influence make their way back to the mainstream even before a verdict has been announced in the matter or before they have been cleared of all charges.

However, the Hindi film industry has chosen to not look the other way when charges are levied, Most recently, it has been reported that cinematographer Pratik Shah’s name has been struck off the credits of the upcoming YRF Entertainment series “Akka” toplining Keerthy Suresh, Radhika Apte and Tanvi Azmi after he stood accused of inappropriate behaviour and sexual misconduct by multiple women last June. Shah was also dropped from the Sourav Ganguly biopic following the allegations.

Earlier this week, “Dhurandhar”’s award-winning production designer Saini S. Johray was found guilty by production house B62’s POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) internal complaints committee. The charges made by a crew member and the subsequent verdict saw Johray’s name dropped from the credits in the latest OTT versions of  “Dhurandhar.”

No minor matter
Meanwhile, National Award-winning Telugu choreographer Jani Master (real name: Shaik Jani Basha), was booked under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) in 2024 and yet continues working on the biggest projects, with the mightiest names in the business. All this, despite being arrested in connection to the case and being later released on bail. In a post-’Me Too’ world, one would expect the industry to either blacklist him or bar him from work till his name was cleared.

The complainant in this case was a 21-year-old junior choreographer who alleged that Jani Master, who has worked in movies like “Pushpa” and “Stree 2,” had assaulted her multiple times and at various locations over a six-year period. He was taken into custody by the Telangana Police in Goa on September 19, 2024. There is an ongoing investigation in the matter.   

And yet, Jani Master is swamped with work.  The news about his alleged sexual offenses have been widely reported, so no one can feign ignorance.  Which begs the question, how was he finalized to choreograph songs in Ram Charan’s  “Peddi,” which is mere days away from its theatrical release? His “Chikiri Chikiri” song from the film “Peddi” has amassed over 220 million views and counting!   

Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor have chosen to stay silent on the matter given their professional engagement with the choreographer and that the film is mere days away from release. 

Even the otherwise outspoken Ram Gopal Varma praised Jani’s work in his upcoming film “Police Station Mein Bhoot” and even called him a “wonderful human being.”

Not just that, the star choreographer had the internet up in arms when he appeared on a dance show called ‘Aata’ featuring minors, in spite of the ongoing investigation against him.
 

Not too long ago…
At the height of the #MeToo movement in 2018, prolific Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu was named by at least 17 women, including well-known singer Chinmayi Sripaada on several charges and for allegedly sabotaging the careers of women who did not give in to his advances.  He denied all the charges made against him; the State did not take any legal action despite multiple cases filed against him and he was never short of work. Not just that, the Jnanpith Award was conferred upon him earlier this year, a decision called out by Sripaada among others.
 
It’s been noticed that public memory is notoriously short when it comes to popular and connected names. And that the entire ecosystem has their backs and ensures that their alleged misdeeds are quickly buried, forgotten, or glossed over, perhaps in favor of views or box-office numbers.