The CBFC denied certification to the movie, demanding the makers to change the title and the name of the titular character Janaki, since it was a synonym to Goddess Sita.
Published Jun 27, 2025 | 2:46 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 27, 2025 | 2:46 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 CBFC reportedly denied certification to the movie because the name, Janaki, would hurt religious sentiments. The Board’s stand invited widespread condemnation in Kerala.
Film organisations in Kerala are planning a protest against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’s “arbitrary film certification” policy, which denied clearance to a movie, JSK: Janaki vs State of Kerala.
It’s learnt that representatives of FEFKA, the Producers’ Association, and the actors’ body AMMA will stage a protest in front of the CBFC’s regional office in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, 30 June, FEFKA president B Unnikrishnan said.
The protest comes after the local CBFC committee in Thiruvananthapuram viewed the film but sent it to Mumbai, where the CBFC chairman — as it is alleged — without watching the film and based only on a brief synopsis — referred it to the revising committee.
“This isn’t just about one film. It’s a question of the industry’s future. No filmmaker should face such a predicament,” said the representatives.
The movie, starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi in the lead, was scheduled to hit the screens on Friday, 27 June.
However, it has been alleged that the CBFC denied certification to the movie, demanding the makers to change the title and the name of the titular character Janaki, since it was a synonym to Sita, a character in The Mahabharata, revered by the Hindus.
The revising committee met after the film’s makers approached the High Court against the CBFC. The panel, however, denied certification to the movie, written and directed by Pravin Narayanan. Anupama Parameshwaran plays the lead opposite Gopi in the courtroom drama movie.
Reports said the movie is set against the backdrop of Kerala’s judicial system. The story follows Janaki, a woman who seeks justice after a traumatic event. Gopi plays the senior advocate representing her in court.
The filmmakers said they would not change the name of the titular character. The Kerala High Court is expected to consider the case on Friday afternoon.
