AR Rahman Faces Backlash for Collaborating with POCSO-Accused Choreographer

In a controversial move, renowned composer AR Rahman has faced significant backlash for his recent collaboration with choreographer Jani Master. The issue stems from the fact that Jani Master was accused of sexually harassing an assistant choreographer when she was still a minor, leading to a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case against him.

Jani Master was arrested in Goa in September 2024 under POCSO charges, with the victim alleging that he had threatened her with physical violence if she reported the incident. The woman also claimed that Jani Master had mentally harassed her during photoshoots and rehearsals. Despite these serious allegations, Jani Master was later released on bail.

The controversy surrounding Rahman's decision to work with Jani Master has been further amplified by the fact that the composer had previously stopped collaborating with Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu, who had faced nearly 20 complaints from women during the #MeToo movement in 2018. Singer Chinmayi was one of the 20 women who had come forward with her story against Vairamuthu.

The news of Rahman's collaboration with Jani Master has sparked outrage on social media, with many users questioning the composer's stance on supporting alleged abusers in the industry. The situation has once again highlighted the ongoing debate around accountability and the need for the entertainment industry to address issues of sexual harassment and abuse.