Dance choreographer Anee Master has spoken out against the cancellation of the National Award for Jani Master. Speaking to the media today, she said that cancelling the award based on "unproven" accusations is not right.
"It is saddening that the award was called off," Anee said. Jani Master had won the National Award for a song in Dhanush's 'Thiruchitrabalam'.
"If he has committed a crime, he has to be punished. This applies to everybody. A technician from the Telugu film industry has been stripped off his well-earned award. The National Awards committee didn't put it on hold. They gave the award to someone else. Jani Master himself hasn't opened his mouth for fear of being judged," Anee said.
Jani Master has been lodged in jail for more than two weeks now. He has been named under the POCSO Act. Anee said that she has never faced casting couch in the film industry. On the other hand, the 21-year-old woman who complained against Jani had claimed that she had been sexually abused multiple times.