Janaki v/s State of Kerala row: Malayalam directors slam CBFC's 'baseless' recommendations

For the past few weeks, the Malayalam movie Janaki v/s State of Kerala has been embroiled in a judicial battle. With the film's producers accepting the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) most recent suggestions for two changes in the Kerala High Court, the dispute is finally over today (July 9).

Film associations stand by JSK's makers

The director and producers of Janaki v/s State of Kerala were commended by FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan for their solidity in refusing to follow the CBFC's suggestions to make 96 changes in the film. "The movie's creators were supported by the film community. These problems will occasionally arise. He stated, "We will review the board's 10-page document that was filed with the court and provide our recommendations to prevent such issues in the future. 

B Rakesh, the secretary of the Producers' Association, stated that the CBFC took advantage of the helplessness of producers. He went on to say that the suggestion to change the character's name and the title of the movie is not supported by their association. Rakesh also offered the courtroom drama's producers and director his support. Meanwhile, Pravin Narayanan, the film's director, stated that they anticipate submitting the revised version by Friday.

Also Read: Janaki v/s State of Kerala row comes to an end; Suresh Gopi film to undergo these changes

Directors slam CBFC's recommendations

In a conversation with OTTplay, Sanal V Devan, the director of Varaham, another highly anticipated movie from Suresh Gopi for 2025, voiced his dismay with such suggestions that restrict an artist's creative freedom. "We shall keep in mind that these kinds of problems could arise at any time. The cinematic experience is ruined when you talk about muting specific parts of a movie," he remarked. Sanal went on to say that he is now a little worried about the title of his next film, Varaham, which also has a Hindu god association.

The director of Abhyanthara Kuttavaali, Sethunath Padmakumar, noted that since the majority of our people are named after various gods, a name can never offend someone's beliefs. "All of these suggestions are based on names that we have heard and seen several times in films of all genres. There is even a song in Kazhcha that goes 'Dup Dup Janaki'. Can we now assert that Janaki shouldn't go fetch water as this song suggests?" he said to OTTplay.

Also Read: Janaki v/s State of Kerala: CBFC urges makers to mute any mention of the name Janaki in Suresh Gopi-starrer