The Malayalam film JSK: Janaki vs State of Kerala, starring Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran, was all set to hit theaters on June 27, 2025. But now, it’s stuck in limbo, thanks to a tussle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The issue? The name “Janaki” in the title and for the lead character. Yep, you read that right—a name’s causing all this chaos. Let’s unpack what’s going on with this courtroom thriller and why everyone is talking.
Why’s the CBFC Upset?
Janaki vs State of Kerala is a legal drama about a woman named Janaki, played by Anupama, who’s fighting for justice after surviving an assault. Suresh Gopi, a Union Minister and acting heavyweight, steps in as her lawyer, tackling a gritty story about truth and resilience. Sounds like a solid watch, right? But the CBFC has hit the brakes, saying the name “Janaki”—a nod to Goddess Sita in Hinduism—isn’t okay for a character who goes through trauma. They’re worried it might hurt religious feelings.
Things started smoothly when the CBFC’s Thiruvananthapuram office gave the film a U/A certificate on May 22, 2025. But red flags went up when the file reached Mumbai’s CBFC headquarters. The board didn’t just stop at the name Janaki; they also had issues with her full name, Janaki Abraham, because it mixes Hindu and Christian references. Instead of sending an official notice, though, the filmmakers got vague WhatsApp calls asking them to change the name. Director Pravin Narayanan spilled the beans on Facebook, writing, “Janaki’s been blocked by the censor board! No release on the 27th!” Talk about a buzzkill.
The Industry’s Not Having It
The Malayalam film world is up in arms. B. Unnikrishnan, a big shot at the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), called the CBFC’s move “weird” and a slap in the face to creative freedom. He pointed out that tons of Hindu names, like Janaki, come from gods and goddesses—does that mean they’re all off-limits now? He also shared that another film, Token Number, got similar grief, forcing its team to swap Janaki for Jayanti. Even then, the CBFC grumbled about Jayanti being too “divine.” Seriously, what’s next—a banned names list?
Kerala’s General Education Minister V. Sivankutty took a dig at the CBFC on social media, joking if it’s a “Censor Board or senseless Board.” Ouch. Director M.B. Padmakumar, who dealt with the Token Number mess, slammed the CBFC’s sketchy tactics, like those threatening WhatsApp calls. It’s got people wondering: is the CBFC overstepping, or are they just doing their job?
Is This a Bigger Problem?
This isn’t the first time the CBFC’s made headlines for playing hardball. Remember the cuts forced on Padmaavat in 2017 or the Kerala Story ban in West Bengal in 2023? Now, Janaki vs State of Kerala is facing a nightmare—changing a name used 100 times in the film means re-dubbing dialogues and maybe even tweaking the story. That’s a lot of work for something as common as a name. Unnikrishnan jokingly suggested the CBFC should just hand out a “safe names” guide to save everyone the headache.
The bigger issue here is what this means for storytelling in India. The CBFC’s job, under the Cinematograph Act of 1952, is to balance free speech with stuff like public order and morality. But when they start nitpicking names, it feels like they’re stifling creativity. As the late filmmaker Satyajit Ray once said, cinema’s about asking tough questions, not dodging them. Fans on social media are split—some think the CBFC is protecting cultural values, while others see it as censorship gone wild.
What’s Next for the Film?
The Janaki vs State team isn’t backing down quietly. They’re waiting for an official notice from the CBFC, expected by June 24 or 25, 2025, to decide their next move. Legal action’s on the table, with FEFKA ready to back them up. Unnikrishnan’s fired up, saying, “We won’t let this kind of censorship mess with Malayalam cinema.” Changing the title or character’s name is a tough call—it’s not just a word; it’s the heart of the story.
Suresh Gopi, who’s juggling his BJP minister gig with acting, reportedly tried talking to the CBFC but didn’t get far. Some wonder if his political ties are stirring the pot, though Padmakumar thinks the central government might not even know what’s happening at the CBFC’s regional level. Either way, the film’s stuck until this gets sorted.
Why It Matters
This whole saga’s got people thinking about where to draw the line between art and sensitivity. India’s a diverse place, and names like Janaki are everywhere—banning them in films could set a weird precedent. Plus, the CBFC’s casual WhatsApp approach isn’t winning trust. Filmmakers want clear rules, not last-minute curveballs.
For now, fans of Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran are left hanging, eager to see Janaki’s courtroom battle but caught in this off-screen drama. Whether the filmmakers stick to their guns or tweak the name, this fight’s bigger than one movie—it’s about how free Indian storytellers really are. Stay tuned; this one’s far from over.