The Malayalam legal drama, Janaki V v/s State of Kerala, is finally set for its worldwide release after a lengthy legal battle over its title and content with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
A Controversial Start
The film, originally titled Janaki v/s State of Kerala, faced significant hurdles before its release. It was initially slated for June 20, then postponed to June 27. However, the CBFC refused to grant a clearance certificate, demanding the removal of the name “Janaki” from both the title and character dialogues.
The censor board’s reasoning stemmed from concerns that the name, which is also associated with the Hindu Goddess Sita, could cause public unrest. This unusual demand led to widespread debate and put the film’s release in jeopardy.
High Court Intervention
The film’s producers took the matter to the Kerala High Court. The court critically viewed the CBFC’s demands, asserting that the board’s role is to certify films, not to dictate creative choices or pre-empt public reactions based on religious sentiments.
During the legal proceedings, the High Court’s firm stance led the CBFC to reconsider its position. What began as a staggering 96 demanded changes was eventually reduced significantly after the court’s intervention.
A Compromise Reached
Following the intense legal back-and-forth, a resolution was finally achieved. The CBFC agreed to issue a certificate if the filmmakers made two key adjustments. Firstly, the film’s title would be slightly altered to Janaki V v/s State of Kerala.
Secondly, the name “Janaki” would be muted in just two instances within the film’s dialogues. The filmmakers, eager to get their movie to audiences, agreed to these revised terms, marking an end to the prolonged dispute.
New Release Date and Rating
With the necessary changes made and the film resubmitted, the CBFC granted Janaki V v/s State of Kerala a U/A 16+ rating. This means the film is suitable for unrestricted public exhibition, but parental guidance is advised for viewers under 16 years of age.
The makers have now announced that the film will hit screens worldwide on July 17, almost a month later than its original schedule.
Meet the Team Behind JSK
The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Suresh Gopi, who is also a Member of Parliament and Minister of State. He is joined by Anupama Parameswaran, Divya Pillai, Shruti Ramachandran, Askar Ali, Madhav Suresh Gopi, and Baiju Santhosh in pivotal roles.
Janaki V v/s State of Kerala is written and directed by Pravin Narayanan. The movie’s journey to the big screen highlights the ongoing challenges faced by filmmakers in navigating India’s film certification landscape.
- The film’s title was changed from ‘Janaki v/s State of Kerala’ to ‘Janaki V v/s State of Kerala’.
- The CBFC initially demanded 96 changes but reduced it to two after High Court intervention.
- The movie received a U/A 16+ rating.
- Its new worldwide release date is July 17.
This resolution allows audiences to finally see the much-anticipated legal drama, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty.
