The National Film Awards Cell, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has revoked the National Film Award for Best Choreography awarded to Shaik Jani Basha, known as Jani Master, due to a pending Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case against him. This decision came just a day after he received four days of interim bail to attend the award ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on October 8.
“In light of the serious allegations and the ongoing legal proceedings, the Competent Authority has decided to suspend the Best Choreography award for the Year 2022 for Shaik Jani Basha, pertaining to the film Thiruchitrambalam, until further notice,” stated a memo issued by Deputy Director Indrani Bose.
Consequently, the invitation extended to Jani for the 70th National Film Awards function on October 8 has also been rescinded. Jani was arrested in Goa on September 19 following accusations of sexual assault from a 21-year-old colleague, who claimed the incidents began when she was still a minor. He is currently detained at Chanchalguda Central Prison in Hyderabad.
