A.R. Rahman faces backlash for working with sexual harassment accused choreographer Jani Master

A.R. Rahman has recently found himself at the centre of a controversy following his collaboration with choreographer Jani Master on the song Chikiri Chikiri for Ram Charan’s upcoming film Peddi.

Some members of the public are criticising the renowned composer for collaborating with Jani, who was previously charged with sexually abusing a choreographer's assistant when she was a minor.

Last year, Jani Master was arrested in relation to a POCSO case, but she was later freed on bail. When Jani posted a number of pictures of him with A.R. Rahman and Peddi director Buchi Babu Sana on November 9, the controversy reappeared.

In his post, Jani wrote, “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. Thank you for your kind words of support, Sir.”

The post quickly went viral, sparking widespread criticism online. Many users questioned Rahman for giving a professional platform to someone accused in a serious case. One user wrote, “A.R. Rahman should be called out. Being associated with anyone accused under POCSO laws shows how lightly sexual crimes are treated in India. This isn’t neutrality—it’s indifference.”