Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan face backlash over collaboration with MeToo accused

Actor-producer Nayanthara and her husband, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, are facing intense backlash on social media after confirming their collaboration with Shaik Jani Basha, widely known as Jani Master, who is currently out on bail in a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case.

In September 2024, a 21-year-old woman choreographer filed a police complaint accusing Jani Master of sexual assault and harassment. According to a statement from Cyberabad police, the survivor alleged that the choreographer first came in contact with her in 2017, hired her as an assistant in 2019, and sexually assaulted her in 2020 during a work trip to Mumbai — when she was 17 years old.

The woman told police that the abuse continued for years, and that Jani Master allegedly threatened her not to speak out. He was arrested on September 19, 2024, and placed in judicial custody. In October 2024, the Telangana High Court granted him bail.

These details were reported by The News Minute, India Today, and official police documents cited in multiple media outlets.

The controversy reignited on July 1, 2025, when Vignesh Shivan confirmed that Jani Master had been roped in to choreograph his upcoming film, Love Insurance Kompany, which is also co-produced by Nayanthara.

Jani Master posted a video on Instagram, writing:

"Candid and crazy with the dearest #VigneshShivan sir on the sets of #LoveInsuranceKompany. It's always a joy working with you for the care, respect, and trust you shower on me, sir. Can't wait to show the magic we created to all of them."

Vignesh re-shared the post, adding:

"Sweet Master Ji. Team LIK – loves you and your vibe a lot."

These public endorsements triggered immediate outrage online. Social media users criticised both Vignesh and Nayanthara for working with someone accused of sexual misconduct involving a minor, with many saying it was especially disappointing coming from a “self-made woman” like Nayanthara.

Singer and activist Chinmayi Sripada, a prominent voice in India’s #MeToo movement, voiced her frustration on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote:

“We as a people seem to love ‘talented’ offenders and will keep promoting them and keeping them in positions of power, which the offenders use to harangue the women more — ‘See nothing will happen to me.’”

Her post, which quickly went viral, was among many condemning the normalisation of alleged abusers in the film industry.

In 2024, Jani Master was announced as the winner of the National Film Award for Best Choreography for the song “Megham Karukkatha” from the film Thiruchitrambalam. However, following his arrest, the National Film Awards Cell, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, revoked the award and rescinded his invitation to the ceremony. This was confirmed in a government notice published shortly after the High Court granted him bail.

The decision by Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan to continue collaborating with Jani Master — despite these serious allegations — has once again raised questions about the Indian film industry's tendency to protect powerful men accused of abuse.

The survivor’s claims and legal proceedings were reported by The Hindu, Times of India, The News Minute, and confirmed through Hyderabad police reports.

While no official statement has been released by Nayanthara or Vignesh Shivan in response to the backlash, critics argue that public figures — especially those in positions of influence — must be held accountable for their professional choices.