Janaki v/s State of Kerala: Suresh Gopi-starrer in legal trouble over its title and character's name
As "Janaki" refers to a Hindu goddess, the Central Board of Film Certification has refused to approve the movie's theatrical release.
Last Updated: 04.45 PM, Jun 22, 2025
According to recent reports, the title and a character in the upcoming Malayalam movie Janaki v/s State of Kerala are causing legal issues. As a result, the movie's release date has been postponed.
Janaki v/s State of Kerala in legal trouble
As "Janaki" refers to a Hindu goddess, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to approve the movie's theatrical release. It has expressed concerns over the name's usage in the title and throughout the film. Recent rumours state that in order to avoid delaying the film's theatrical release, the producers have been instructed to make the necessary changes to both of them as soon as possible. They have, however, said unequivocally that they would not alter the movie in any way. The theatrical release of this film has been halted by the board's action.
Speaking to the media, FEFKA General Secretary B Unnikrishnan stated that "Janaki" appears multiple times in the movie and that there are undoubtedly practical issues with making modifications largely. He also questioned the logic behind CBFC's objection, given that it would restrict many filmmakers' artistic freedom. Additionally, he has stated that his organisation will not hesitate to protest against the board's verdict.
Janaki v/s State of Kerala plot and cast details
The film follows Janaki's legal journey when she is the victim of a crime. The main focus of the film is her fight for justice, which entails challenging the Indian legal system, alongside Adv David Abel Donovan. Suresh Gopi is playing a lawyer in this movie, which is expected to be an intriguing courtroom drama. Anupama Parameswaram portrays Janaki.
The supporting cast of the movie includes Shruti Ramachandran, Madhav Suresh, Askar Ali, Baiju Santhosh, Jayan Cherthala, and Shobi Thilakan. Under the auspices of Cosmos Entertainments and Karthik Kreations, Janaki v/s State of Kerala is directed by Pravin Narayanan and funded by Raafi Mathirra and J Phanindra Kumar. The filmmaker also wrote the screenplay for the movie.