The Malayalam film Janaki vs State of Kerala, starring veteran actor and BJP MP Suresh Gopi, has become the epicenter of a heated legal and cultural battle. The
The Malayalam film Janaki vs State of Kerala, starring veteran actor and BJP MP Suresh Gopi, has become the epicenter of a heated legal and cultural battle. The controversy began when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) raised objections to the film’s title and delayed its certification. What followed was a widespread outcry from the film industry and a significant judicial intervention by the Kerala High Court.
The CBFC’s directive to change the title of Janaki vs State of Kerala sparked immediate backlash from filmmakers, artists, and producers across Kerala and beyond. They accused the board of overreach and censorship, claiming that cinema is increasingly becoming a target of arbitrary decisions by the certification body.
The film portrays the story of Janaki, a woman who is a survivor of sexual assault and seeks justice through the legal system. According to the film’s creators, the title reflects the protagonist’s struggle against the system and was not intended to offend any religious or political sentiment.
Amid escalating tensions and public outrage, a petition was filed in the Kerala High Court by the film’s production team. They challenged the CBFC’s directive and the delay in certification, arguing that it infringed upon creative freedom and freedom of expression.
In a rare move, Justice N. Nagaresh of the Kerala High Court decided to watch the entire movie before making a final ruling on the matter. The court emphasized that it would be inappropriate to pass judgment without fully understanding the film’s content and context.
“As the movie’s title and subject have become the focal point of the legal issue, the contents of the film require to be ascertained,” the judge observed, before adjourning the hearing.
During an earlier hearing, the Judge made a strong oral observation, questioning the rationale behind the CBFC’s objection to the name ‘Janaki’.
“She is not a rapist. If a rapist is named Rama, Krishna, or Janaki, then I can understand. Here, she is the heroine of the film, fighting for justice,” Justice Nagaresh remarked.
This observation resonated with many in the creative and legal community, as it highlighted the disproportionate reasoning often applied to film content based on names or religious connotations.
The CBFC, through its standing counsel, sought more time to respond to the allegations raised in the second writ petition filed by the production team. The Board argued that in light of the new petition, the earlier petition had become infructuous.
The production house had originally planned to release the film on June 27, but the ongoing legal and certification issues have led to an indefinite delay.
Despite the controversy, the production team has refrained from making direct public statements about the issue. A spokesperson for the team stated:
“We are hopeful that the court will understand the merits in the case and take a decision. Until then, we do not want to pass any comments on the matter.”
In response to the CBFC‘s actions, various organizations representing filmmakers, actors, and producers held protests. They accused the CBFC of infringing upon artistic freedom and acting beyond its mandate. The controversy has reignited the debate over censorship, certification, and the autonomy of creative professionals in India.
Several prominent film personalities expressed concerns over increasing censorship in recent years. They argued that the CBFC’s role is to certify films, not censor them based on ideological or political biases.
With the Kerala High Court now taking the unprecedented step of viewing the film before ruling, the outcome of this case could have long-standing implications on how films are certified and what limits, if any, are placed on titles and themes.
The verdict could also set a legal precedent for future disputes involving film certification and creative expression. For now, the fate of Janaki vs State of Kerala rests in the hands of the judiciary, and the film industry is watching closely.
