Producer Ravi Shankar has addressed rumors surrounding actor Allu Arjun’s alleged connection to the s*xual assault case involving choreographer Jani Master, also known as Shaik Jani Basha. Speaking at a press meet celebrating the success of Mathu Vadalara 2, Shankar made it clear that Allu Arjun is in no way involved in the case. He emphasized that Allu Arjun’s role on set is strictly professional, stating, “Hero (Allu Arjun) isn’t bothered about who’s on set other than wishing them good morning and following the steps he’s given.”
Shankar defended Allu Arjun against claims suggesting favoritism or interference with crew members, explaining that the actor’s stature would not lead him to stop someone from working or promote someone else. The producer further clarified that both he and Allu Arjun remain professionally aligned with all individuals involved in their projects.
Jani Master, who gained fame as the choreographer of the hit song Srivalli from Pushpa: The Rise, has been accused of s*xual assault. A 21-year-old woman, previously a junior choreographer on Jani’s team, filed a complaint stating that he s*xually abused her over a period of six years, starting in 2019. The victim claims she remained silent due to threats of being blacklisted from the industry. Following her complaint, Jani Master was arrested by Cyberabad Police in Goa.
According to Ravi Shankar, Jani Master was set to choreograph a special number for the highly anticipated sequel Pushpa 2: The Rule. However, this plan was disrupted by the incident, as the arrest occurred just two days before the shoot was scheduled.
On a related note, Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, was originally scheduled for an August 15, 2024 release. However, the film has now been postponed and is expected to hit theaters on December 6, 2024.
