A heated confrontation erupted between Tollywood choreographers Shekhar Master and Jani Master at the Telugu Film and TV Dancers’ Association (TFDA) office near the Film Chamber in Hyderabad on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The verbal argument quickly escalated with shouting and minor physical altercations before bystanders intervened to separate the two veteran choreographers. Police personnel arrived at the scene to restore order. No arrests were made and no serious injuries were reported from the incident.
Videos of the confrontation have gone viral across YouTube and social media platforms, showing multiple angles of the tense exchange. The footage captures the intensity of the argument between the two prominent figures in the Telugu film industry. Several Telugu news channels including SumanTV and Telugu70mm have been providing continuous coverage with live updates and reactions from other industry professionals.
The clash stems from ongoing factional disputes within the dancers’ association. Sumalatha Devi, wife of Jani Master, was elected as president in December 2025. The opposing faction, reportedly supported by Shekhar Master, has raised multiple allegations against the current leadership. These include accusations of conducting by-elections without proper federation approval, irregularities in membership registration procedures, and concerns over the administration of welfare schemes.
The internal conflict has resulted in approximately 10 resignations from the association and has led to police complaints being filed by both sides. The labour commission has also been involved in addressing the governance disputes. The confrontation reportedly intensified when both factions met at the association office, with viral clips showing arguments over control and ownership of the office space.
Senior members and federation leaders are now attempting to mediate between the warring factions to restore unity within the organization. Live discussions featuring reactions from other choreographers, including Bhanu Master, are ongoing on various Telugu television channels. The incident has highlighted the deep divisions within the association over administrative control and decision-making authority.
Both Shekhar Master and Jani Master are veteran choreographers with extensive careers in Telugu and South Indian cinema. Jani Master had previously faced legal issues in 2024 related to sexual assault allegations, though he was granted bail. The dancers’ association has been experiencing internal tensions for several months, and this latest incident underscores the severity of the administrative rift within the organization.
