AR Rahman was not aware of Jani Master's POCSO case? Chinmayi reveals

Jani Master, AR Rahman and Chinmayi Sripada

Netizens have been slamming music composer AR Rahman for collaborating with choreographer Jani Master for the upcoming film Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. Jani Master has been accused of sexually assaulting a minor and is currently out on conditional bail. Singer Chinmayi Sripaada, a frequent collaborator with Rahman, was questioned by a user online about why she hadn't called him out for working with Jani. Responding to the comment, Chinmayi revealed that she had, in fact, questioned him personally.

Chinmayi Sripaada says AR Rahman had no idea about Jani Master's case

Rahman was criticised for posing for photos with Jani Master during the film's shoot. One X (formerly Twitter) user accused Chinmayi of hypocrisy, writing, "I think Akka will keep quiet because it's Rahman. Hypocrisy is one of her attributes!" Chinmayi hit back, replying, "Oh please, shut up. I asked Sir - and he had no idea. I have called out even the CM and the biggest actors in the Tamil film industry."

Chinmayi, who has long spoken against sexual harassment in the industry after accusing lyricist Vairamuthu of misconduct, also addressed the mental toll such activism has taken on her. "You are not the one going to court and getting harassed. So stop targeting me when powerful men employ molesters. You all can call out your idols - I cannot do all the work alone. I have lost enough, been abused enough, and harassed enough. You are an anonymous handle with nothing to lose," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Jani Master recently shared pictures with AR Rahman and Peddi director Buchi Babu Sana. He has choreographed the song Chikiri Chikiri from the film, featuring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. The images went viral, sparking backlash against Rahman for working with a man facing serious sexual assault charges.

What is the case against Jani Master?

A 21-year-old woman had accused the choreographer of sexually abusing her multiple times. Jani is known for his work in major films like Stree 2, Jailer, Radhe, and Baahubali, among others.

According to reports, the woman alleged that Jani Master abused her repeatedly. The police have booked him under Sections 376(2)(n), 506, and 323 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and initiated an investigation.

As per the FIR, the woman stated that in 2019, she joined Jani Master's team as an assistant choreographer. "Whenever she travelled outside Hyderabad for shoots, her mother did not accompany her due to the unavailability of tickets and accommodation. During a project in Mumbai, she, along with Jani Master and two male assistants, stayed at a hotel, where Jani Master allegedly sexually assaulted her and threatened to fire her if she spoke about it. He continued to harass her on multiple occasions during subsequent shoots," the complaint stated.