Latest news with #JSK–JanakivsStateofKerala
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Politics of division creeping into Kerala society: Minister Saji Cherian
Politics of division is making inroads into Kerala society, Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian has said. Speaking at a function in Alappuzha on Wednesday, Mr. Cherian said that while one group was opposing zumba dance, another was deliberately targeting the film JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala. Terming the Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (CASA) 'a communal outfit', the Minister said it was spreading anti-Muslim propaganda. 'CASA has the backing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Their aim is to create division in society,' Mr. Cherian said. 'Communal agendas' He said the actor in the film JSK is a BJP leader. 'Janaki is the name of a deity. Films with this title have been released in Kerala in the past without sparking any controversy. But now, those currently in the censor board are promoting communal agendas,' the Minister said. He questioned whose interests the Opposition was seeking to protect in Kerala. 'Whatever indecent or communal statements someone makes, the Opposition in Kerala is turning them into political weapons to gain support from communal forces,' Mr. Cherian said. He also alleged that the Congress party was increasingly being overshadowed by the Indian Union Muslim League.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Isn't demand for change of name of film a challenge to freedom of creative expression, asks HC
The Kerala High Court has asked whether the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) revising committee seeking the change of name Janaki in the title of Malayalam feature film JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala isn't a challenge to the freedom of creative expression. The committee had in addition sought the change of the same name by which the protagonist was being referred to in the film and in dialogues. Stating that the demand for change of name was not justifiable, the court sought the precise reason for which the CBFC raised the demand and posted the case for hearing on Wednesday. 'In India, a good share of names are either of gods and goddesses or have similarities with their names,' the court said. Counsel for the film's producer firm, which filed the petition, said the CBFC had not cited any problem with 'Janaki' in the title earlier this year, when its trailer was released. The same board had issued censor certificate for a film by name Janaki Jaane. Board's counsel said the character Janaki in the film JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala was being sexually assaulted and hence the demand for change of name. Moreover, there was a norm that films must not have adverse references to religion or caste. To this, counsel for the petitioner firm contended that the character Janaki portrayed in the film was a fighter for justice. The court observed that the character was a victim who was fighting for justice, and not an accused. The petitioner firm added that an appellate tribunal, where appeals regarding censor certificate could be taken up, was dismantled in 2021 and there was no other forum but the court to pursue the matter. Stating that films bearing similar names had been released earlier, the High Court had on Friday asked the CBFC why censor certificate had not been issued for the film (that stars among others, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi).
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Why has JSK – Janaki Vs State of Kerala not been issued censor certificate, HC asks censor board
Stating that films bearing similar names had been released earlier, the Kerala High Court asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) why censor certificate has not been issued for the Malayalam feature film JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala. The producer firm of the film that stars, among others, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi had approached the High Court, citing delay on the part of the CBFC in issuing the certificate. The CBFC's counsel informed the court that its objection was to the name of the film's central character, Janaki, which is another name for the Hindu goddess Sita. Also, explicit language was used while referring to women. Certificate for teaser Wondering why the name of the character – a commonly used name — has to be changed, the court observed that many Indian films having names of gods, goddesses and religious figures in the title had been granted censor certificates in the past. There were movies like Sita aur Gita. No one had any complaints then. The film's producer firm said that the CBFC had issued a censor certificate for the same film's teaser trailer. The revising committee of the CBFC had on Thursday asked the makers of the film to change the title of the film as well as the name of the protagonist. It had been reported that the Thiruvananthapuram regional office of the CBFC had cleared the censoring of the film on June 18 with a U/A certificate. However, when the regional office forwarded the same to the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai, the officials there demanded a change in the title as well as the name of the titular character of Janaki. It was also conveyed to the makers through unofficial channels that the victim of a sexual assault cannot be named after a goddess. The revising committee met after the makers of the film approached the Kerala High Court, alleging delay.
India Today
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Ram Lakhan okay, but not Janaki? Kerala High Court raps censor board over film row
The Kerala High Court on Friday questioned the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over its objection to the use of the name 'Janaki' in the Malayalam film 'JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala', starring Union Minister and BJP leader Suresh Gopi and actor Anupama a petition filed by the film's production house, Cosmos Entertainment, over the delay in certification, Justice N Nagaresh pointed out that Indian cinema has a history of using mythological names without have a film named Seeta Aur Geeta. Janaki is Seeta. Nothing happened. No problem. Nobody has any complaint. We have a film named Ram Lakhan. Nobody has any complaint. Then how come for Janaki there is a complaint?' the judge asked the Deputy Solicitor General (DSGI) representing the CBFC. The court's remarks came after the CBFC issued a show cause notice to the filmmakers, directing them to drop the name 'Janaki' from the film's title and CBFC argued that the use of the name 'Janaki', a name associated with Goddess Sita, in a film with such content could violate guideline 2 (xi) under Section 5B(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which prohibits 'visuals or words contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups.'The film, dealing with mature content including sexual violence, was scheduled for release on June 27 but was held up due to the certification court, however, questioned the rationale behind this objection and noted that the CBFC's Screening Committee had already cleared the film, but the Chairman referred it to the Revising Committee, which then raised the name-related production's counsel argued that as per the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, the Revising Committee cannot issue a show cause notice. Its role is limited to suggesting cuts and granting that the show cause notice be placed before the court on June 30, the judge told the filmmakers they are free to either respond to the notice or file an production house said it submitted the film for certification on June 12 and completed screening on June 18. They claim that the delay, coupled with the sudden objection over the name, is causing financial losses and violates their constitutional rights under Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech) and 19(1)(g) (right to practice any profession).- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala row: Malayalam film bodies to protest before CBFC office in Kerala capital
Various film bodies in the Malayalam movie industry will stage a protest in front of the regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at Thiruvananthapuram on June 30, 2025 in protest against the 'arbitrary film certification' adopted by the board. The day-long protest was decided after the CBFC's revising committee demanded the makers of the film JSK - Janaki vs State of Kerala to change the title of the film as well as the name of the protagonist. The representatives of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), Kerala Film Producers' Association, Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (MAA) will be among those who will be participating in the protest on Monday, said B. Unnikrishnan, general secretary of FEFKA, here on Friday. He termed the revising committee's decision as 'arbitrary' and one that may have far-reaching consequences in the way forward for the cinema industry. Already, filmmakers and writers who are working on various projects have contacted us expressing their concern over the board's decision, he said. The revising committee is learnt to have demanded a change in the title as well as the name of the titular character of Janaki, apparently because the name also refers to the Hindu goddess Sita. It was conveyed to the makers through unofficial channels that the victim of a sexual assault cannot be named after a goddess. The revising committee had met after the makers of the film approached the Kerala High Court alleging delay by the CBFC in issuing a censor certificate to the film. Long-term solution sought Mr. Unnikrishnan said that 'a long-term solution' was required to clear the confusion over the guidelines prescribed by the board. Many films released earlier in Malayalam had characters with the name 'Janaki'. A question on what change has happened between then and now on keeping such a name has to be addressed, he said. Renji Panicker, president of the Directors' Union affiliated to the FEFKA, said that a situation may emerge when the characters have to be 'given numbers instead of names.' 'Any name given to a character in a movie can be disputed as it may be connected to a religion. The political parties cannot stay away from addressing such a serious issue,' he said. Release delayed The release of the movie JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala, starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi that was initially planned on June 27, has been delayed owing to the ongoing row.
