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Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Censors and their ridiculous cuts
In 2010, the Indian government undid one of their more contentious decisions. They 'unbanned' the Satyajit Ray documentary, Sikkim. This film, commissioned in 1971 by the Chogyal (king) of Sikkim and then cast aside since he was not happy with its final cut (too much reality … err… poverty!) had been banned in 1975 by the Indian government in the light of Sikkim's controversial accession to India that year. Over the years, the film had vanished from public view and only in 2010 was it screened in Kolkata to a rapturous response. By then, the context had changed, and it was deemed 'safe'. .As far as films were concerned, 1975 (the year of the infamous Emergency) was annus horribilis. That year also witnessed the government come down on Aandhi, directed by Gulzar. The lead character's look and the plot were deemed much too close to Indira Gandhi and her life. And then there was the case of Kissa Kursi Ka (KKK), submitted to the Censor Board in 1975, blacklisted (without due process) owing to its spoofing of Indira and Sanjay Gandhi and their flunkies like Dhirendra Brahmachari and Rukhsana Sultana. Its prints were then secreted away and burnt on the express instructions of V C Shukla, the then I&B minister. This, despite the fact that the movie was directed by Amrit Nahata, who was a Congress MP. The movie was subsequently reshot and released in was common to all of these films was their politics. Sikkim made the larger Indian state uncomfortable. Aandhi and KKK made political leaders calling the shots in the government uncomfortable. That state of affairs continues. .'Superman' can't save Hollywood from superhero one were to list the films that have found themselves in the crosshairs of the Censor Board in recent times, the same terms and conditions apply. Panjab '95 and Santosh question the role of the state and its enforcement wing, the police. L2: Empuraan with its depiction of the 2002 Gujarat riots was skating close to the brings us to the case of 'Janaki V v/s State of Kerala'..State as 'sanskari'.Janaki V v/s State of Kerala is about sexual assault. And that its eponymous victim-character bore the name of the goddess who was the epitome of Indian womanhood was what waylaid the film for a while. Why even a kissing scene from 'Superman' had the censor authorities' knickers in a twist and was cut. .This cultural dimension to censorship wasn't always a thing. British-era censorship rules came down mostly on politics. Gandhi, the freedom movement, revolution — it was these that were on their proscribed list. .But it didn't always work. For all their attempts to curb political messaging, the British were daft enough to pass the song 'Door hato, ye duniyawaalon' in the 1943 movie, 'Kismet'. Since it was World War II, they read it as a warning to the Germans and Japanese to stay away from India. All of India knew that the song was aimed at our then-rulers. And it is they who were being asked to leave. .As for the 'sanskari' angle, movies of the 1920s and 30s were decidedly more uninhibited. Kissing was common with movies featuring both many, many kisses (1932's 'Zarina' — 42!) and long, long ones (1933's 'Karma' — allegedly four minutes). But somewhere along the line, the powers that be deemed it necessary to 'save' the Indian public from overtly sensual displays and began to come down hard on what they deemed was 'vulgar' and against 'family values'. These categories, fuzzy as they were, gave the censor authorities a lot of leeway and power. We were then ushered into the era of negotiation as filmmakers and pen-pushers argued, often maddeningly, about art and the 'national interest' and struck deals. The public, who were both to be fed these films and 'protected', were mute spectators. .Is all hope lost? .Are we, the public, then condemned to be patronised and hoodwinked eternally? Are we going to be 'protected' from risqué content because of our 'tender' sensitivities on the one hand and denied political content and ushered into a state of blind obedience, on the other? .Well… yes! If we continue to be so thin-skinned and demand 'bans' on all and sundry on the basis of the dodgy 'hurt sentiments' argument, this is how things are likely to be. In fact, it will probably get worse. A scenario where someone calls for a ban on the cooking or eating of non-vegetarian food on screen is not unimaginable. Equally, another might want to have a say in the 'naming' of characters. Villains cannot bear 'good' names may be the it is time we healed ourselves. Committing to free expression and a willingness to tolerate contrary opinions (political, artistic, whatever) is de rigueur for good citizenship. That is the need of the hour. The state must be held accountable for livelihoods, health and education rather than focusing on censorship..(The author is a well-known writer and editor)
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Janaki V vs State of Kerala OTT release: Where to watch Suresh Gopi's Malayalam legal drama after its run in theatres
Janaki V vs State of Kerala OTT release: Janaki V vs State of Kerala hit the screens on July 17 and opened to a good response at the box office. The Suresh Gopi-led flick, however, received mixed reviews. The film arrived in theatres after being delayed because of a controversy over its title. According to OTT Play, Janaki V vs State of Kerala will premiere on ZEE 5 after its run in theatres. However, the exact date is yet to be revealed. Janaki V vs State of Kerala plot and cast explored Janaki V vs State of Kerala is a legal drama that explores the life of a woman named Janaki V. After a terrifying experience near her hometown, she decides to fight for justice and right the wrongs. The film explores her struggles while highlighting the flaws of the system. Janaki V vs State of Kerala stars Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran. The Mollywood superstar is one of the biggest names in the industry. His recent releases include Paappan and Garudan. Anupama, on the other hand, rose to fame with her work in Premam. Janaki V vs State of Kerala Janaki V vs State of Kerala received mixed reviews with critics lauding the story but panning the execution. India Today gave the film 2 stars out of 5. 'With a more cohesive screenplay, restrained editing, and a clearer narrative focus, this courtroom drama could have made a far greater impact,' read a portion of the review. Despite the mediocre word-of-mouth Janaki V vs State of Kerala has made an impact at the box office. According to Sacnilk, it earned Rs 2.1 crore in two days. Janaki V vs State of Kerala controversy explained Janaki V vs State of Kerala landed in trouble ahead of its release when the CBFC asked for 96 edits and told the makers to change the character's name. However, after a round of court-mediated discussions, the number of edits was reduced to two. The character's name was muted in two courtroom sequences. Moreover, the title was tweaked to reflect the protagonist's full name.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Janaki V vs State of Kerala box office collection day 2: Suresh Gopi's Malayalam film earns Rs 1 crore in India
Janaki V vs State of Kerala box office collection day 2: Suresh Gopi's Janaki V vs State of Kerala hit the screens on July 17 and opened to a good response at the Indian box office despite receiving mixed reviews. It continued its run on Friday and remained the pick of the Malayalam audience. Janaki V vs State of Kerala stays stable on first Friday Janaki V vs State of Kerala hit the screens on July 17 and collected a decent Rs 1.1 crore (nett) in India on the opening day. It then stayed strong on its first Friday. According to Sacnilk, a trade website, the courtroom drama earned Rs 1 crore on its second day. Janaki V vs State of Kerala had an overall occupancy of 11.64% on the second day. The morning shows recorded an occupancy of 5.14%. The afternoon shows saw an occupancy of nearly 9.47%. The night shows fared the best on this front, as they had an occupancy of nearly 20% Janaki V vs State of Kerala recorded its best occupancy in Mumbai (19.5%) and Bengaluru (18.75%). It, however, did not find much patronage in markets such as Alappuzha (6%) and Hyderabad (12.33%) Day-wise breakdown for Janaki V vs State of Kerala Day 1: Rs 1.1 crore Day 2: Rs 1 crore The total collection stands at Rs 2.1 crore Why did Janaki V State of Kerala land in trouble ahead of its release? Janaki V vs State of Kerala landed in a controversy ahead of its release when the CBFC asked for 96 edits and told the makers to change the title/character's name. However, after a court-mediated discussion, the number of edits was reduced to two. The character's name was muted in two courtroom sequences, and the title was tweaked. This caused the film to be delayed by a few weeks. Janani V vs State of Kerala review Janaki V vs State of Kerala received mixed reviews with critics lauding the concept but panning the execution. India Today gave the film ⅖. 'With a more cohesive screenplay, restrained editing, and a clearer narrative focus, this courtroom drama could have made a far greater impact,' read a portion of the review. The mediocre word-of-mouth could spell trouble for the film once the initial buzz dies down. About Janaki V vs State of Kerala Janaki V vs State of Kerala is a courtroom drama that examines the life of a woman named Janaki V. After a horrific incident near her hometown, she sets out on a relentless quest for justice. The film explores her struggles while highlighting the defects of the system. Janaki V vs State of Kerala stars Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran.
News18
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Janaki V v/s State Of Kerala X Reviews: Suresh Gopi's courtroom drama is gripping
Curated By : Last Updated: July 18, 2025, 19:02 IST Janaki V v/s State of Kerala received mixed reviews from viewers (Photo Source: Instagram) After a legal battle and a series of delays, actor-politician Suresh Gopi's latest film Janaki V v/s State of Kerala finally hit the big screens on July 17. The Malayalam courtroom drama was denied certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to the movie's title. After discussions, the makers opted for a modification by adding the word 'V" to its title, following which it received a UA certificate with a 16+ age recommendation. Janaki V v/s State of Kerala, also starring Anupama Parameswaran, tells the tale of a woman's legal struggle for justice after an assault. The first X reviews of the Pravin Narayanan directorial are now out. Janaki V v/s has received mixed responses. Let's take a look at some of them: Heaping praise on Suresh Gopi's performance, one user wrote, 'A tightly made courtroom drama that keeps you engaged throughout. Suresh Gopi delivers a commanding, nuanced performance that truly stands out. Anupama Parameswaran's performance (thumbs up). The film maintains a steady pace and finishes on a high. A compelling and satisfying watch." A tightly made courtroom drama that keeps you engaged throughout, Suresh Gopi delivers a commanding, nuanced performance that truly stands out. Anupama Parameswaran performance 👍The film maintains a steady pace and finishes on a highA compelling and satisfying watch.… — kiran (@kirancsiva) July 17, 2025 Sharing a similar sentiment, another wrote, 'Janaki V vs State of Kerala is a gripping courtroom drama! Suresh Gopi is fiery as Advocate David, and Anupama Parameswaran delivers a powerful act. A must-watch." A movie buff was impressed by the emotions the film evoked. 'Janaki V vs State of Kerala – A well-made courtroom drama with a proper execution. Suresh Gopi is back as a performer in this film. Anupama Parameswaran also nailed her role throughout. Emotions are Written Well without missing their intensity." One person found the plot 'excellent," but thought that the diaoluges were too 'preachy". 'An excellent, relevant plot but poor writing, poor casting except the leads, lack of good craftsmanship and some unwanted propaganda when considering the story. It was just an ok watch for me. And I couldn't stand the preaching dialogues in the courtroom," read his review. An excellent relevant plot but poor writing, poor casting except the leads, lack of good craftsmanship and some unwanted propaganda when considering the story. It was just an ok watch for me. And I couldn't stand the preaching dialogues in the courtroom#JanakiVvsStateofKerala Sreenath Nandipulam (@moviesandsree) July 18, 2025 'Janaki V vs State of Kerala feels like an outdated whodunit with a weak storyline, clunky execution, and very off performances. SG was as bad as his fake beard. Anupama was decent. Rest blaahh," read an honest verdict. #JanakiVsStateofKerala feels like an outdated whodunit with a weak storyline, clunky execution, and very off performances. SG was as bad as his fake beard. Anupama was decent. Rest Madhav, acting isn't your lane. Not even your street. Park somewhere else, brother. — ALIM SHAN (@AlimShan_) July 17, 2025 An individual left 'dissatisfied" shared, 'Rape survivor vs State sounds powerful, but the film totally lacks impact. No depth, no freshness. Suresh Gopi feels forced, the dialogues are cringe, and the whole thing just drags." J.S.K (Janaki vs State of Kerala)Rape survivor vs State sounds powerful, but the film totally lacks impact. No depth, no freshness. Suresh Gopi feels force-fitted, dialogues are cringe, and the whole thing just drags. 🙏😒 Not satisfied.#JSK #JanakiVsStateOfKerala — ???????????????????????????????? 🦝 (@theappachan) July 17, 2025 Giving the movie a score of 2 out of 5, a viewer noted, '10 minutes before the interval were the only good moments. Also, worst dialogue and performances from the cast." #JanakiVvsStateofKerala #jsk – Below Average One.A Typical Rape Victim Based Investigation Thriller which is Templated & Typical Having No Impacts or Engaging Elements.. 10 Minutes Before Interval Were Only Good Momentsalso Worst Dialogue & Performances from cast TOTALLY 2/5 — Abin Babu 🦇 (@AbinBabu2255) July 17, 2025 Janaki V v/s State of Kerala is produced under the banner of Cosmos Entertainments. Anindita Mukherjee works as a Senior Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18 Showsha. She introduces herself as someone who is truly, deeply and passionately in love with SRK, films, shows and glitz - ba... Read More Anindita Mukherjee works as a Senior Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18 Showsha. She introduces herself as someone who is truly, deeply and passionately in love with SRK, films, shows and glitz - ba... Read More view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
CBFC Revises Stand On Suresh Gopi's Janaki Vs State Of Kerala, Now Orders Just Two Cuts
Last Updated: 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." Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
