Composer AR Rahman has been slammed by netizens for collaborating with choreographer Jani Master, who was accused of sexually harassing an assistant choreographer when
she was a minor. Although the choreographer was released on bail in POCSO case last year, social media have expressed disapproval on him bagging projects.
AR Rahman Called Out For Working With POCSO Accused
Jani Master shared a post with AR Rahman after he choreographed the Chikiri Chikiri song for Ram Charan's Peddi.
On November 9, Jani Master shared photos with AR Rahman and director of the film Buchi Babu Sana. He captioned the post, "We grew up watching and dancing to Legendary @arrahman Sir's songs and I can't believe I choreographed this chartbuster #ChikiriChikiri in his composition. Thank you for your kind words of support Sir."
Soon, the post went viral after the Internet users took to the comments section to call out AR Rahman about giving a platform to abusers in his film. A user wrote about how Rahman stopped collaborating with Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu, who had nearly 20 complaints from women against him. Singer Chinmayi was one of the 20 women to voice her views with her story during the #MeToo movement in 2018.
Another user wrote, "Arjun was accused by shruthi hariharan and he worked with Vijay , ajith and all nobody question them! Even 90% malayalam industry can't work each other..The only industry has spine! Other industries are .. So I don't welcome selective criticism!."
In September 2024, a former assistant of Jani master filed sexual harassment case against him. Following this, he was arrested in Goa under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) charges.
Also Read: Chinmayi Sripaada Slams Industry For Promoting 'Talented Offenders' After Sexual Assault Accused Joins Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan Film
The woman also alleged that Jani Master threatened her with physical violence if she reported the incident and mentally harassed her during film shoots.
Owing to the allegations and his arrest, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting suspended his National Award for Best Choreography for the song, the Tamil number Megham Karukkadha from Dhanush's Thiruchitrambalam.
