The Malayalam film industry is up in arms against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) following its objection to the title of the film ‘Janaki vs State of Kerala.’ The film, starring Suresh Gopi and directed by Pravin Narayanan, is facing censorship due to the CBFC’s concerns about the name ‘Janaki,’ which is also a name of the Hindu goddess Sita. The Producers Association, FEFKA, and AMMA have united to protest the CBFC’s decision, which has led to the postponement of the film’s release.
The film is a courtroom drama centered around a woman named Janaki who takes legal action against the state after experiencing a traumatic assault. Suresh Gopi plays the role of the lawyer representing her. The CBFC’s stance is that the name of a deity should not be associated with a woman who has undergone such an experience. The regional office of the CBFC in Thiruvananthapuram had initially approved the film with a U/A certificate before the headquarters in Mumbai intervened and demanded a change in title.
B Unnikrishnan, President of FEFKA, has condemned the censorship, arguing that it undermines artistic freedom. He has urged Union Minister Suresh Gopi to address the matter and clarify the government’s position on creative expression. He highlighted that the film has no specific religious references. The producers have approached the Kerala High Court to challenge the CBFC’s directive, while Suresh Gopi is yet to make a public statement.