
After CBFC objections, HC to watch Janaki before hearing
Cosmos Entertainments, the producer of the film starring actor and Union minister of state, Suresh Gopi, had moved the HC in June against the delay by the CBFC in granting the censor certificate to the film. The film was later referred to the revision committee of the CBFC for further scrutiny. The CBFC has since then maintained that the name 'Janaki' in the film's title refers to a Hindu goddess and that its usage in a film talking about sexual violence would offend religious sentiments.
The producers have maintained that the film tells the story of Janaki, a woman who survived rape and later appeals for justice through the legal system.
On Wednesday, when the matter came up for hearing, the HC bench of justice N Nagaresh orally observed that it is appropriate to view the movie before passing an order. The judge directed the producers of the film to set up a screening on July 5 and posted the matter for further hearing on July 9.
Earlier, justice Nagaresh had pointed out why a rape survivor couldn't be named Janaki and lashed out at the CBFC for interfering with artistic freedom.
'Now you will dictate to directors and artists which names they should use and which stories they should tell. What is wrong with Janaki? Janaki is not a rapist. If a rapist is named as Rama, Krishna, Janaki then I can understand. The heroine is fighting for justice, what is the problem with that name?' the judge had asked.
On Monday, members of Malayalam film actors and producers' bodies had protested in front of the CBFC regional office in Thiruvananthapuram for the 'disturbing' and 'arbitrary' demands of the CBFC to change the title and principal character name of the film.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Not a member of AMMA'; Bhavana says unaware of election; clarifies her stance
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Actress Bhavana has chosen to stay away from the discussions surrounding the recently concluded AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) election. When asked about the results, the actress said she was not aware of the matter and did not wish to comment at this stage. As reported by Manorama Online, clarifying her stance, Bhavana stated, 'I am not a member of AMMA. If there comes a different situation in the future, I will respond accordingly.' Her decision to refrain from reacting reflects her conscious distance from the organization that has seen multiple debates and controversies over the years. Shweta Menon creates history in AMMA Meanwhile, the AMMA election results have made history. For the first time since its inception in 1994, the association has a woman president—actress Shwetha Menon. She won the post after defeating veteran actor Devan by 27 votes. Alongside her, Kuku Parameswaran was elected as general secretary with a margin of 37 votes, while Jayan Cherthala and Lakshmipriya were chosen as vice presidents. Unni Shivapal became the treasurer and Anziba was unanimously elected as joint secretary. Out of 507 eligible members, 298 cast their votes. Prominent names such as Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Tovino Thomas, Jayasurya, and Basil Joseph turned up to participate in the process. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo However, several big stars including Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Dulquer Salmaan, Manju Warrier, and Nivin Pauly were absent. Shwetha's strong words on actress assault case TRIGGER WARNING: This article includes references to sexual abuse. Malayalam film industry unites to condemn FIR against Shwetha Menon over condom ad Soon after her election, Shwetha Menon addressed the media with both gratitude and firmness. She called the high-profile actress assault case involving actor Dileep 'a very serious matter' and stressed that she is 'eagerly awaiting the court's decision to uncover the truth.' Talking to Asianet News, Shwetha Menon said, 'The survivor should come back to AMMA. We are all with her. Everyone is with her. Others should also return. Most issues can be resolved through dialogue.' "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."


News18
44 minutes ago
- News18
Nayanthara, Nivin Pauly reunite for Dear Students; Teaser out
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 17 (ANI): The makers of the Nayanthara and Nivin Pauly starrer 'Dear Students' have finally dropped the much-awaited teaser of the film. The movie marks the reunion of the two stars after their superhit film 'Love Action Drama' in 2019. The Tamil-Malayalam bilingual film, 'Dear Students', is jointly directed by George Philip Roy and Sandeep Kumar. The makers have not revealed the release date of the movie yet. Taking to his Instagram handle, Nivin Pauly shared the much-awaited teaser of his film 'Dear Students', offering a glimpse of his humorous yet heartfelt chemistry with the actress in the film. As per the teaser, the film is expected to be centred around the life of a school boy with a parallel police investigation helmed by Nayanthara. The teaser opened with a humorous exchange between Nivin Pauly's character, Hari, and Nayanthara. Mistaking her for a customer, Nivin Pauly starts describing the various dishes at the Nayanthara quickly clarifies that she's there to discuss something personal, requesting him to sit teaser is laced with humorous exchanges between Nivin Pauly and Nayanthara, along with their solo action sequences. Apart from hogging the teaser screen time, the movie is also expected to feature the life of schoolboys, which includes their parties in PGs, heartbreaks, and love stories. Nayanthara will play the role of a cop in the movie. Take a look at the teaser of the film, which Nivin Pauly shared on Instagram. Last year in August, Nivin Pauly announced Nayanthara's involvement in Dear Students through a social media post. He wrote, 'Into the fun and gripping world of Dear Students joins the incredible, ever-radiant Nayanthara."She made her Bollywood debut in Jawan alongside Shah Rukh Khan last year and has also appeared in Tamil films such as Iraivan and Annapoorani: The Goddess of FoodThe movie is produced by Pauly Jr Pictures and Rowdy Pictures. (ANI)


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Breaking the script in cinema's power circle
Swetha Menon's election as the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) is more than symbolic. It signals a long-overdue shift in a male-dominated industry long accused of apathy toward gender justice. That she replaces a towering figure like Mohanlal only amplifies the weight of the moment. After years of being at the periphery of institutional power, women in alayalam cinema finally have a voice at the very top and it belongs to someone who has never shied away from speaking her mind. The election, held in Kochi, was closely fought. Swetha edged out veteran actor Devan by just 21 votes. Out of 506 eligible members, 298 cast their ballots. The results weren't just about Swetha's win. They reflected a broader change. Alongside her, three other women secured key posts: Kukku Parameswaran was elected General Secretary, defeating actor Raveendran, and actors Lakshmi Priyaa and Jayan Cherthala became vice presidents. This reshaped AMMA leadership is being seen as a response to years of discontent from within the industry, especially after the fallout of the 2017 actress assault case and the release of the Hema Committee report in 2024. Swetha's win didn't come without friction. Days before the vote, a legal complaint accused her of profiting from 'obscene' content, a charge widely seen as a smear campaign. But the attempt backfired, reinforcing her reputation as someone who refuses to be silenced or shamed. Throughout her career, Swetha has stood her ground, both on screen and off,despite repeated attempts to marginalize or undermine her. Born in Chandigarh into a military family, Swetha entered the entertainment world at 13. She first gained national recognition after winning the Miss India Asia Pacific title in 1994, which launched her modeling and television career. Soon, she transitioned to cinema. After debuting in Malayalam films with Anaswaram, she appeared in Bollywood hits like Ishq and Bandhan. But it was her second innings in Malayalam cinema, beginning in the mid-2000s, that cemented her place as an actor of substance. Swetha deliberately pivoted toward complex, grounded roles, and her performances in Paaleri Manikyam (2009) and Salt N' Pepper (2011) won her Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress. She would go on to win nearly 40 accolades across languages. But even at her artistic peak, she remained a figure unafraid to confront.