The much-anticipated Malayalam courtroom drama Janaki v/s State of Kerala, starring Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran, has hit a major roadblock just days before its planned theatrical release.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to certify the film, objecting to the use of the name “Janaki”—claiming it refers to a Hindu goddess and could hurt religious sentiments.
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The CBFC has reportedly asked the filmmakers to either change the film’s title or rename Anupama’s character. But in a bold stance, the makers have refused to change anything.
As a result, the film’s release has been stalled indefinitely, with no clarity on when—or if—it will hit theatres.
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The move has sparked immediate backlash. FEFKA General Secretary B. Unnikrishnan slammed the CBFC’s decision as an attack on creative freedom, asking, “There are thousands of people named Janaki across India. Will you ban them too?” He also hinted at an industry-wide protest if the board fails to reconsider.
Janaki v/s State of Kerala revolves around a powerful courtroom battle led by lawyer David Abel Donovan (Suresh Gopi), fighting the system to seek justice for Janaki, a young crime victim. The film was touted as a hard-hitting social drama packed with emotional depth.
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Now, it’s stuck in a censorship battle—reigniting debates over freedom of expression, creative overreach, and the shrinking space for storytellers in Indian cinema.
