The Malayalam film Janaki V vs State of Kerala, starring actor and politician Suresh Gopi, has finally received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after a lengthy legal battle over its title and content. The courtroom drama, which faced objections for using the name “Janaki,” will now release worldwide on July 17 with a U/A 16+ certificate.
Controversy Over the Title and CBFC’s Initial Objections
The CBFC initially refused to certify the film, arguing that the name “Janaki” — another name for the Hindu goddess Sita — should not be used for a character who is a survivor of assault. The board demanded 96 cuts and a complete title change, stating that the depiction could hurt religious sentiments.
The filmmakers, however, challenged this decision in the Kerala High Court, where Justice N. Nagaresh questioned the CBFC’s stance.
“She is not a rapist. If a rapist were named Rama, Krishna, or Janaki, then I could understand the concern. But here, she is the heroine, a survivor seeking justice.”
After multiple hearings, the CBFC softened its demands, reducing the required changes to just two minor edits. The title was tweaked from Janaki vs State of Kerala to Janaki V vs State of Kerala, and two dialogues mentioning the name “Janaki” were muted in a courtroom scene.
Film’s Plot and Cast
Directed by Pravin Narayanan, the movie follows Janaki Vidhyadharan, an IT professional who becomes a survivor of a horrific incident and fights for justice in court. Suresh Gopi plays a lawyer taking up her case, marking his return to the courtroom drama genre after 19 years. The film also stars Anupama Parameswaran, Divya Pillai, Shruti Ramachandran, and Askar Ali.
Public and Industry Reactions
The controversy sparked debates on creative freedom, with many in the Malayalam film industry supporting the makers. B Unnikrishnan, general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), criticized the CBFC’s demands.
“I have asked him to move legally against such a strange demand by the Censor Board. FEFKA will also hold a different kind of protest. Such censorship cannot be encouraged in Malayalam cinema.”
Fans expressed relief on social media after the release date was confirmed. One comment on the makers’ post read:
“Its just a beginning… justice is being served.”
Another fan wrote:
“RISE from FIRE.”
Final Clearance and Release Plans
The film was originally scheduled for June 20, then postponed to June 27, before the CBFC dispute caused further delays. With the legal battle resolved, the makers announced the new release date on social media with the message:
“Behind every delay… have a truth worth fighting for. And in the end, that truth shall always prevail!”
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Produced by J Phaneendra Kumar under Cosmos Entertainment, the film will now hit theatres in multiple languages after securing all necessary censor approvals.
Sources: The Hindu, Onmanorama, WION, Hindustan Times
