'Janaki V v/s State of Kerala’ Cleared By Censor Board, Set For Release After Legal Battle
After weeks of legal hurdles and a contentious back-and-forth with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Malayalam legal drama Janaki V v/s State of Kerala has finally received its censor clearance and is slated for theatrical release this week.
The film, starring Union Minister and veteran actor Suresh Gopi alongside Anupama Parameswaran, had faced significant delays over objections raised by the CBFC regarding the use of the name “Janaki” allegedly due to its association with the Hindu goddess Sita.
The filmmakers were initially reluctant to alter the film’s title or character names, but ultimately agreed to a compromise following judicial intervention.
On Wednesday, the Kerala High Court, led by Justice N Nagaresh, noted that the petitioner’s primary grievance had been resolved. The court formally disposed of the plea filed by the production house, Cosmos Entertainments, which had challenged the delays in certification caused by the CBFC’s objections.
As per the final settlement, the film’s title was slightly modified to Janaki V v/s State of Kerala, with “V” standing for the protagonist’s full name, Janaki Vidhyadharan. Additionally, two instances of the name “Janaki” were muted or substituted in specific courtroom scenes, as per CBFC’s revised directive. The Board subsequently granted certification on July 11.
The Court also declared that promotional material bearing the earlier title would not legally affect the production company, shielding them from any related claims.
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Directed by Pravin Narayanan, JSK (as it is also marketed) tells the story of a woman’s quest for justice after a traumatic incident, set against the backdrop of Kerala’s legal system. The film features a robust ensemble cast including Shruthi Ramachandran, Divya Pillai, Madhav Suresh, Baiju Santhosh, Joy Mathew, and others.
The film had been originally scheduled for release on June 27, but its launch was deferred due to the CBFC’s refusal to certify it under the original title.
The issue sparked public outcry and drew criticism from prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry, as well as political organisations like the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), who voiced concerns about censorship and creative suppression.
Film bodies, including FEFKA, A.M.M.A, and the Kerala Film Producers Association, staged a symbolic protest outside the CBFC’s regional office in Thiruvananthapuram, advocating for artistic freedom.
Further controversy arose when a Chennai-based production house obtained an interim stay on the film’s release over an alleged financial dispute amounting to ₹1.3 crore. However, that matter appears to have been resolved or overtaken by the recent developments surrounding the film’s certification. The movie will hit theatres on July 17, 2025.
