Music Maestro Faces Social Media Storm
Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman finds himself at the center of a raging controversy following his recent collaboration with choreographer Jani Master, who faces serious charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The backlash erupted after the release of the song "Chikiri Chikiri" from the upcoming film Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor.
The Trigger Point: Social Media Posts and Public Outrage
The controversy gained momentum when Jani Master himself shared photographs on social media platform Instagram showing him posing with AR Rahman and Peddi director Buchi Babu Sana. In one particularly telling image, Rahman appeared with his hand resting comfortably on Jani's shoulder, suggesting a cordial professional relationship between the two.
Jani's Instagram caption expressed his excitement about working with the legendary composer: "We grew up watching and dancing to Legendary @arrahman Sir's songs and I can't believe I choreographed this chartbuster #ChikiriChikiri in his composition." This post, shared just one day before the song's official release, immediately drew sharp reactions from netizens across platforms.
Public Anger and Questions About Double Standards
Social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Reddit, exploded with criticism directed at Rahman. What made the situation particularly damaging for the composer's reputation was the stark contrast with his previous principled stands. During the #MeToo movement in India, Rahman had promptly stopped working with lyricist Vairamuthu and singer Karthik after sexual harassment allegations surfaced against them.
This historical context made his collaboration with Jani Master appear particularly hypocritical to many observers. One Reddit user pointedly asked: "How is Jani any different from Vairamuthu? If ARR outright rejected Vairamuthu, why doesn't he do the same to this pedophile?"
Another Twitter user expressed disappointment, writing: "Never expected this from Rahman. He stopped working with talented Singer Karthik. I respect his principle. But why is he comfortable working with Jani? Might as well collab with Karthik as well. Say no to hypocrisy."
Understanding the Jani Master Case Background
The seriousness of the allegations against Jani Master cannot be overstated. In September 2024, choreographer Shaik Jani Basha (professionally known as Jani Master) was arrested in Goa following accusations of sexually assaulting a junior choreographer.
The case took an even more serious turn when POCSO Act sections were added to the initial rape charges after investigations revealed that the complainant was allegedly a minor when the sexual assault first occurred. Though Jani Master was eventually granted interim bail, the gravity of the charges remains.
In a significant development that underscores the seriousness of the allegations, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting revoked Jani Master's National Film Award for Best Choreography for his work in "Megam Karukkatha" from the film Thiruchitrambalam (2022) following the filing of the POCSO case against him.
Industry Patterns and Selective Backlash
Many social media commentators noted that this incident reflects broader patterns within the Indian film industry. One Reddit user observed: "The entire film industry doesn't give a flying fu** about sexual assault. Just recently, Mari Selvaraj and Nivas decided to work with Vedan despite all his allegations, and nobody called them out for it."
Interestingly, while Rahman bears the brunt of public anger, the lead actors of Peddi - Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor - have faced relatively minimal backlash despite their involvement in the same project. This selective targeting has led some to speculate whether the composer is facing a coordinated attack.
However, as one netizen starkly put it: "Posing with an ex felon. A lot of celebs have selective amnesia but I truly didn't expect this from ARR." The phrase "film industry is rotten" emerged as a recurring theme in the online discourse, reflecting public frustration with the entertainment industry's handling of sexual misconduct cases.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it raises critical questions about accountability, consistency in ethical stands, and the film industry's responsibility toward addressing serious criminal allegations against its members.
