Censor Board vs. "Janaki v/s State of Kerala": A Clash Over Religious Sentiments
Updated on: 10 July, 2025 11:05 AM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Janaki v State of Kerala Row
The highly anticipated Malayalam film "JSK: Janaki v/s State of Kerala," starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameshwaran, is finally set to hit theatres after its producers agreed to crucial changes demanded by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). This decision marks the end of a three-week legal battle concerning the film`s title and certain narrative elements.
The Core of the Controversy
The film, which tells the compelling story of a rape survivor fighting for justice, faced significant hurdles from the CBFC primarily due to the lead character`s name, Janaki. The CBFC argued that "Janaki" is another name for the revered Hindu goddess Sita, and depicting a lead character named after a deity as a rape victim raised serious concerns for public order and religious sentiments.
Initially demanding 96 cuts, the CBFC later scaled down its requirements to just two specific changes. These were:
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Name Alteration: Revise the film`s subtitle "Janaki v/s State of Kerala" by changing "Janaki" to "Janaki V" or "V Janaki," aligning it with the character`s full name, Janaki Vidhyadharan.
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Muting the Name: Mute the name "Janaki" during a crucial courtroom cross-examination scene.
The CBFC submitted an affidavit to the Kerala High Court, outlining several reasons for its stance. They stated that "Such a portrayal fundamentally undermines the dignity and sanctity associated with the revered persona of Goddess Sita, thereby causing grave offence to religious sentiments."
The board also objected to provocative questions posed to the character during cross-examination and a "religious dichotomy" in the narrative that could "inflame communal tensions." Furthermore, the CBFC contended that producers deliberately chose the name to "capitalise on her religious significance" and that allowing such films would "open a Pandora`s box," systematically undermining religious sentiments.
Also Read: Janaki vs State of Kerala: Mollywood Unites Against CBFC`s Arbitrary Decision
A Commercial Call for the Producers
Despite initially challenging the CBFC`s demands in court, the film`s producers eventually agreed to the modifications. Their advocate, Haris Beeran, cited mounting financial losses and an existing OTT deal as reasons for this commercial decision. Director Pravin Narayanan expressed that while such changes are difficult for an artist, compromise was necessary. The Kerala High Court has ordered the CBFC to grant censor certification within three days of the changes being implemented.
"JSK: Janaki v/s State of Kerala" was originally slated for a June 27 worldwide release. Film enthusiasts will now have to wait a little longer to see Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran on screen in this impactful story.
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