CBFC demands removal of Janaki title for Suresh Gopi-Anupama Parameswaran film's unhindered release

The release of Janaki v/s State of Kerala (JSK), starring actor-politician Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran in the lead, has been put on hold following the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) refusal to grant the film a screening certificate. The courtroom thriller, directed by Pravin Narayanan, was scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 27. Pravin confirmed the development on social media, writing, “Janaki denied screening by the Censor Board! No release on the 27th!”

The CBFC has reportedly objected to the film’s title, demanding that the name Janaki be removed. The producers have declined to comply, stating that changing the title is not an option. Although the film had earlier completed certification formalities and was awarded a U/A 13+ rating without any cuts, it has now been denied permission for public exhibition. The CBFC has stated that the name Janaki, another name for Goddess Sita, should not be linked to a character who faces assault in the film. 

Responding to this, Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) General Secretary B Unnikrishnan told PTI, “It is said by the Board that Goddess Sita’s name cannot be given to the woman character who suffered assault.” He also noted, “They have not received any written information in this regard. A show-cause notice is yet to be received.” Terming the CBFC’s stance “strange”, Unnikrishnan remarked, “Where is the country heading? In these circumstances, it would be tough to choose a name for characters belonging to the Hindu religion, as the majority of them would be epithets of Gods or Goddesses.”

The makers of JSK are yet to announce their next course of action. The film also features Suresh Gopi’s younger son, Madhav Suresh, along with Shruti Ramachandran, Divya Pillai, Askar Ali, Baiju Santhosh, Kottayam Ramesh and Shoby Thilakan. Produced by J Phanindra Kumar under the banner of Cosmos Entertainments, it has cinematography by Renadive, editing by Samjith Mohamed, and music composed by Ghibran.