Suresh Gopi's Film Janaki V/s State Of Kerala Renamed After CBFC Row, Sets July Release

News18

18-07-2025

Janaki V vs State of Kerala faced a legal issue due to the use of Janaki in the title, delaying its release. After much controversy, the makers have now secured a release date.
After facing a series of delays and a legal battle surrounding its title, Suresh Gopi's Malayalam legal drama has finally locked a release date. Originally scheduled for release on June 27, 2025, the film was denied certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to concerns over its title, Janaki V vs State of Kerala. The CBFC raised objections, citing that the name, Janaki, a direct reference to the Ramayana character Sita could lead to public sentiment issues.
Following discussions with the CBFC and a court petition, the filmmakers have now made necessary modifications. The film retains its original title but with a stylised change to Janaki V v/s State of Kerala. It has now received a UA certificate with a 16+ age recommendation.
Janki is set to release worldwide on July 17, 2025.
Confirming the news, the official Instagram handle of the film shared a new poster along with a caption that read, 'Behind every delay… have a truth worth fighting for. And in the end, that truth shall always prevail!!! JANAKI V v/s STATE OF KERALA U/A 16+ CERTIFICATION WORLD WIDE RELEASE ON JULY 17TH."
Take a look:
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A post shared by JANAKI V/S STATE OF KERALA (@jskthemovie)
The CBFC had earlier told the Kerala High Court that the film would only be cleared if its title was changed to either Janaki V v/s State of Kerala or V Janaki v/s State of Kerala. Additionally, the board reportedly asked for the muting of the word 'Janaki" during a courtroom scene to avoid potential controversy.
Producer Suresh Kumar also shared his views on the delay. He attributed the heightened caution of the CBFC to events surrounding another high-profile Malayalam film. 'Empuraan had to be recensored due to the controversy. That's when the censor board became more cautious. That's why this problem has arisen; everything began from there," he stated.
Meanwhile, in the latest update, the Central Board of Film Certification had earlier 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.
'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.
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.
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