Allu Arjun not involved in Jani Master’s sexual assault case, says Pushpa 2 producer Ravi Shankar: “He has unnecessarily been dragged into it”

He confirmed that Jani Master had been hired as a choreographer for Pushpa 2: The Rule well before the allegations surfaced.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

September 24, 2024 - 10:55 AM IST

The world of Telugu cinema was rocked by a recent scandal involving choreographer Jani Master. A 21-year-old woman accused him of sexual assault, alleging years of abuse during their time working together. The allegations sent shockwaves through the industry, and Jani Master was subsequently arrested. The controversy also drew attention to the involvement of Allu Arjun, the lead actor in the blockbuster film Pushpa. Jani Master had choreographed the hit song ‘Srivalli’ for the film. Rumours began to circulate that Allu Arjun might be implicated in the case due to his association with the accused choreographer. However, the film's producer, Ravi Shankar, stepped in to clarify the situation. In an interview, he vehemently defended Allu Arjun, stating that the actor had no involvement in the matter.

Allu Arjun not involved in Jani Master’s sexual assault case, says Pushpa 2 producer Ravi Shankar: “He has unnecessarily been dragged into it”

Speaking at the success event of his latest film, Shankar emphasized that Allu Arjun's primary focus is on his role as an actor and not on the specifics of the production team. He stated, as per Free Press Journal, "Hero (Allu Arjun) isn’t bothered about who’s on set other than wishing them good morning and following the steps he’s given. He has unnecessarily been dragged into it. For his stature, why will he stop someone from working or promote someone else? We are all only professionally aligned to both of them."

Shankar also addressed the allegations against Jani Master, who is accused of sexually assaulting a junior choreographer. He confirmed that Jani Master had been hired as a choreographer for Pushpa 2: The Rule well before the allegations surfaced. The decision to retain his services was made based on his professional qualifications and contributions to the film.

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Shankar explained that the production team had chosen to continue working with Jani Master until the legal proceedings were concluded. He stated, "We believed it was important to allow the legal process to unfold without interfering in the production schedule."

The controversy surrounding Jani Master has cast a shadow over the highly anticipated sequel, Pushpa 2: The Rule. While the film was initially slated for release in August 2024, its premiere has now been postponed to December 2024.