Following this, the high court directed the CBFC to issue the censor certificate within three days of receiving the edited version of the film.
Published Jul 09, 2025 | 5:38 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 09, 2025 | 5:38 PM
The movie tells the story of Janaki (Anupama Parameshwaran), a woman who seeks justice after a traumatic event. Suresh Gopi plays Senior Advocate David Abel Donovan, representing her in court.
Synopsis: The Kerala High Court cleared the release of Janaki v State of Kerala, starring Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameshwaran, after the makers agreed to CBFC’s suggestions. The title will be altered to Janaki V or V Janaki, and the name muted in two scenes. The film, facing 96 proposed cuts earlier, will now receive certification and release soon.
After days of uncertainty, the legal tussle surrounding the Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameshwaran starrer Janaki v State of Kerala has finally been resolved, clearing the way for its theatrical release.
The film’s production house, Cosmos Entertainment, informed the Kerala High Court on Wednesday, 9 July, that it has agreed to the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) suggestions to modify the film’s title and mute certain dialogues.
As per the agreement, the word Janaki, which holds religious significance for the Hindu community, will be changed in the subtitle to Janaki V or V Janaki.
Additionally, the name will be muted in two courtroom scenes where a rape survivor — named after the Hindu goddess — is aggressively cross-examined.
Following this, the high court directed the CBFC to issue the censor certificate within three days of receiving the edited version of Janaki V State of Kerala.
The case was heard by bench of Justice N Nagaresh, who had earlier remarked that objections might be understandable if a negative character bore a revered name, but here, “she is the heroine, a survivor fighting for justice.”
He had also pointed out that films with mythological names have been certified in the past, citing examples like Seeta Aur Geeta and Ram Lakhan.
With the row settled, Janaki V State of Kerala, which had faced a proposed 96 cuts earlier, is now likely to hit theatres very soon.
Written and directed by Pravin Narayanan, Anupama Parameshwaran plays the lead opposite Suresh Gopi in this courtroom drama.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
