CBFC Revises Stand On Suresh Gopi's Janaki Vs State Of Kerala, Now Orders Just Two Cuts
The CBFC initially recommended 96 cuts for the film 'Janaki Vs State of Kerala' but later agreed to certify it with just two minor cuts after a Kerala High Court hearing.
Posters of the film.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has now agreed to clear the film Janaki Vs State of Kerala with only two minor cuts, down from the 96 it originally recommended. The move came during a Kerala High Court hearing on July 9, 2025, where the board's counsel informed the court of its revised approach to the controversial film starring actor-politician Suresh Gopi and actress Anupama Parameswaran.
The film had previously faced opposition from the Mumbai office of the CBFC over the use of the protagonist's name, 'Janaki', a name associated with the Hindu goddess Sita, in a narrative that includes sexual assault. The board considered the name inappropriate for the context and had cited concerns about the potential for religious discord.
'In the subject film, when the lead character, who is named after Goddess Sita/Janaki, is raped, she is then aided by a man belonging to one particular religious community and is cross-examined and asked harrowing questions by a person belonging to another religious community. This religious dichotomy in the treatment of a character bearing Goddess Sita's sacred name has the potential to inflame communal tensions and create divisive narratives between religious groups," the CBFC stated in an affidavit submitted to the court.
The affidavit also warned that permitting such portrayals could encourage similar scenes in future films.
As a compromise, the board has now allowed the title to be retained with slight modifications – either Janaki V Vs State of Kerala or V Janaki Vs State of Kerala, reflecting the protagonist's full name, Janaki Vidhyadharan. Additionally, the CBFC has suggested muting the protagonist's name in a particular cross-examination scene.
The Kerala division of the CBFC had previously cleared the film without objections, but the Mumbai office's concerns brought the issue to court, highlighting inconsistencies in certification across regions. The Kerala High Court, led by Justice N. Nagaresh, had earlier screened the film on July 5 and has now adjourned the matter to 1:45 pm today to allow the filmmakers time to respond to the proposed changes.
Originally slated for release on June 20, the film's release has been delayed due to the certification dispute. The filmmakers have previously criticised the CBFC's initial demands as 'arbitrary" and 'unwarranted."
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