The film is set to stream on Zee5 from Independence Day, 15 August, in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.
Published Aug 05, 2025 | 9:31 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 05, 2025 | 9:31 PM
'Janaki V vs State of Kerala’ on OTT. (X)
Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameshwaran’s court room drama Janaki V v/s State of Kerala is now all set to reach wider audience.
The film is set to stream on Zee5 from Independence Day, 15 August, in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.
Sharing the news, the makers wrote, on Instagram: “Let this Independence Day be for justice. “Janaki V v/s State of Kerala”, from August 15, PREMIERES on our very own ZEE5 15th August on@ZEE5.”
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Actor-politician Suresh Gopi’s long-delayed film Janaki V vs State of Kerala (JSK) was released to mixed reviews. The movie, which has been in the making since 2018, faced several delays due to Suresh Gopi’s election commitments and other issues including the conflict over title with CBFC.
The film presented a theme centred on the need for women’s safety. Suresh Gopi’s character, a lead lawyer, uses his courtroom arguments to criticize both the previous Left and UDF governments in Kerala, as well as the current state administration, particularly regarding women’s safety.
The censor board initially refused to grant the film a censor certificate. The reason cited was that the film portrays a rape survivor named Janaki—another name for the Hindu goddess Sita—which, according to the CBFC, could offend religious sentiments and undermine the dignity and sanctity associated with the name.
The remarks were made by the CBFC in an affidavit submitted to the Kerala High Court. Initially, the CBFC demanded 96 cuts and a change in the film’s title—requests that the filmmakers refused, leading to a legal battle in the High Court.
In its affidavit, the CBFC stated that its certification process involves balancing creative freedom with regulatory oversight, adhering to guidelines that prohibit visuals or language deemed contemptuous toward religious, racial, or other groups.
According to a report by Livelaw, the CBFC further said that in the movie, the title character is cross-examined by a defence lawyer belonging to another religion, who asks her many objectionable questions such as whether she used drugs to enhance sexual pleasure, whether she watched pornographic videos, whether she had a boyfriend etc. Such portrayal can disrupt public order, the CBFC asserted.
A Kerala High Court judge eventually watched the film. Following the court’s intervention, the producers agreed to certain changes proposed by the CBFC. These included changing the title to Janaki V vs State of Kerala and muting the name “Janaki” in specific courtroom scenes.
