Anupama Parameshwaran plays the lead opposite Suresh Gopi in this courtroom drama.
Published Jul 15, 2025 | 3:42 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 15, 2025 | 3:42 PM
A poster of the film 'Janaki V vs State of Kerala'. (X)
Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi’s upcoming film Janaki V vs State of Kerala has finally locked a new release date after overcoming changing the title and getting the CBFC certification.
The film written and directed by Pravin Narayanan is set to release on 17 July, in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Anupama Parameshwaran plays the lead opposite Suresh Gopi in this courtroom drama.
The film has music by Gireesh Narayanan, editing by Samjith Mohammed, and cinematography by Renadive.
The film also stars Suresh Gopi’s son Madhav Suresh, Divya Pillai, Askar Ali, Sruthi Ramachandran, and Baiju Sandosh in key roles.
Sharing the trailer of the film, along with the release date, the makers wrote on X: “A bold narrative that grips your gut and stays in your mind! #JanakiVsStateofKerala The courtroom battle starts July 17.”
A bold narrative that grips your gut and stays in your mind!🔥 #JanakiVsStateofKerala The courtroom battle starts July 17.💥@TheSureshGopi @anupamahere @DivyaPillaioffl @Shruti_Ram_ @GhibranVaibodha #GopuramCinemas #SureshGopi #AnupamaParameswaran #ShruthiRamachandran… pic.twitter.com/oR7oUoAGUl
— Gopuram Cinemas (@Gopuram_Cinemas) July 15, 2025
The film sparked controversy when the Censor Board objected to its original title, Janaki vs State of Kerala, stating that a rape survivor could not be named Janaki, as it is an alternative name for Goddess Sita from Ramayan.
Following a case in the Kerala High Court, the filmmakers agreed to alter the title, and mute the name in two courtroom scenes where a rape survivor — named after the Hindu goddess — is aggressively cross-examined. The revised version has since been cleared by the Censor Board with a U/A 16+ certificate.
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.
