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Janaki vs State of Kerala: Upcoming Suresh Gopi starrer faces CBFC hurdle over its name

The CBFC has reportedly sought a change in the name of the titular character, Janaki, and for the name to be removed from the film’s title, as Janaki is also a name for Goddess Sita.

Could the furore over Janaki v/s… — whose producers have agreed to add the initial ‘V’ before 'Janaki' in the title, besides two more cuts — herald a narrowing of the space for free expression in the Malayalam film industry? (Image: YouTube)

The release of Malayalam film Janaki vs State of Kerala, starring actor and Union minister Suresh Gopi, has hit a roadblock after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sought a change in the title of the film.

The film’s director, Praveen Narayanan, said that the CBFC has denied a screening certificate for the film, which was slated to be released on June 27. He said the film will now not be released on that date.

The CBFC has reportedly sought a change in the name of the titular character, Janaki, and for the name to be removed from the film’s title, as Janaki is also a name for Goddess Sita.

The film revolves around the legal fight of a woman against the government. The CBFC is yet to serve a written notice to the film’s producers regarding the demand, and it is expected to be delivered on Monday.

Director and general secretary of the influential Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), B Unnikrishnan, reacted sharply to the CBFC’s reported demand. “A woman who faces an atrocity cannot be given the name of Goddess Sita? This will create a major crisis in the industry… At times, the names of Hindu characters will be that of a God or Goddess. If this is the situation, we will not even be able to use my name,” Unnikrishnan said.

He also said that all films are made as per the guidelines of the CBFC, and that these guidelines do not mention anything related to what the board has demanded.

Suresh Gopi has, so far, not reacted to the controversy related to the movie, which is his first one to hit screens after he became a Union minister last year.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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