The Malayalam film "Janaki vs State of Kerala," starring Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran, has become embroiled in a censorship dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over its title. The CBFC has reportedly refused to certify the film, raising concerns about religious sentiments due to the use of the name "Janaki," which is associated with the Hindu goddess Sita.
Pravin Narayanan, the film's director, has defended the title, asserting that the character Janaki is entirely fictional and has no religious significance within the narrative. He emphasized that Indian cinema has a long history of using culturally significant names without facing controversy or legal challenges. Narayanan stated that the title represents the character's identity and not any divine reference, highlighting that the film deals with themes of justice and gender violence, rather than religious narratives. He feels that the CBFC should consider the film from a different perspective.
The CBFC, however, maintains its stance that such names should be used cautiously to avoid potentially offending religious sentiments. This has ignited a debate within the film industry regarding censorship and artistic freedom.
Several Malayalam film industry bodies, including the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), AMMA, and the Kerala Film Producers Association, have voiced strong opposition to the CBFC's decision. FEFKA General Secretary B. Unnikrishnan criticized the CBFC's action as an overreach, arguing that if names like Vishnu or Krishna are acceptable, then Janaki should be as well. He cautioned that this decision could set a dangerous precedent, potentially pressuring filmmakers to avoid traditional names even in purely fictional scripts and stressed that creative freedom must be respected unless the content directly promotes hate or falsehoods.
The controversy has also drawn the attention of the Kerala High Court, which questioned the CBFC's objection. The court inquired whether the CBFC intends to dictate character names and storylines to filmmakers, emphasizing that most names in India have religious connotations. Citing examples of past films like "Seeta Aur Geeta" and "Ram Lakhan," the court questioned the inconsistency in the CBFC's position. Justice N. Nagaresh directed the CBFC to submit a written affidavit explaining how the name "Janaki" violates any certification guidelines.
Kerala's Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian has also criticized the CBFC's actions, deeming them "completely unacceptable". He suggested that if a film featuring Union Minister Suresh Gopi faces such hurdles, ordinary filmmakers could face even greater challenges.
In response to the controversy, the filmmakers have approached the Kerala High Court seeking urgent certification for the film. They argue that the CBFC's actions violate the fundamental rights to free speech and profession and could cause irreparable financial loss. The court has directed that the film be screened for the bench to evaluate the objections raised by the CBFC.
On June 30, 2025, various Malayalam film industry bodies organized a symbolic protest outside the CBFC regional office in Thiruvananthapuram. Artists, directors, producers, and crew members participated, discarding scissors into a dustbin to symbolize their rejection of censorship and carrying placards to advocate for freedom of expression.
