06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Janaki Vs State of Kerala to release on OTT, here's when and where you can watch it
Janaki Vs State of Kerala, starring Suresh Gopi in the lead role, after a short break from films, is all set for its streaming debut in the coming days. The courtroom drama, directed by Praveen Narayanan, had faced several controversies surrounding its theatrical release since the censors refused to clear the film unless the makers changed the name. The name 'Janaki', according to their argument, demeaned the name of goddesses Sita, who is also called 'Janaki' in Hindu mythology. After a long, arduous legal fight and a minor change in the title, the film was released to lukewarm response. Janaki Vs State of Kerala tells the story of a rape victim's crusade to find justice.
Suresh Gopi plays the lead role alongside Anupama Parameswaran in the title role. The film was a throwback to an older mould of loud, over-the-top melodramatic crowd pleasers from our mainstream, where important social issues are served through the vessel of a courtroom drama. The film also had an extended supporting cast consisting of Madhav Suresh, Divya Pillai, and Shruthi Ramachandran. Janaki performed moderately well at the box office, although the treatment of the sensitive subject material undercut the gravity of the real issue at hand.
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Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran received favourable reviews for their intentionally loud performances that fit perfectly with the tone of the film. The film had cinematography by Renadive and a score by Ghibran. Janaki vs State of Kerala did not break any new ground in terms of its storytelling and relies on conventional cliches to drive home its points. The film will have its streaming release on Zee5 from August 15, a month after its theatrical run.