Janaki vs State of Kerala director questions CBFC's demand to change name: They could have had a different perspective
The makers of Malayalam film Janaki vs State of Kerala have moved Kerala High Court to oppose the demand of Central Board of Film Certification to change the name of the film as it is the name of Goddess Sita and the titular character is a rape survivor. Directed by Pravin Narayanan, the film stars Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran. Director Pravin Narayanan talks about CBFC's demand to change the film's title.
Pravin feels that CBFC should look at the film from a different perspective.
'We accept that Janaki is also another name for goddess Sita, but it's such a common name used in many parts of the country. through our movie we never tried to defame Goddess Sita or any other belief system reluctant in our country.'
Also Read | Kerala film bodies stage protest against CBFC over Janaki vs State of Kerala movie release
He adds, 'Maybe CBFC could have had a different perspective for the name of character.We are on the final stage of production and to rename the character at this stage is difficult for us.'
CBFC is also facing opposition from film body Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMAA)
Joy Mathew, Member Ad hoc committee, AMMA, says, 'What a Joke! Most of the people, films in our country and even the government give name from our itihas and traditions. Then why should CBFC say this? They always want to change most of the dialogues mentioning Janaki. It looks like matter of ego, otherwise there is no reason for them to do it because most of the films carry names like Sita, Ram, Mohammad, George and so on.'
Adding to this Pravin asserts, 'Janaki's name is used throughout the movie and in dialogues spoken by many leading actors in the movie and her name is shown multiple times in the visuals.'
The High Court's decision on the film is expected soon and the makers are hoping for a positive reply
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
How censorship affects the artistic expression in film
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) For filmmakers, cinema is more than entertainment—it's a medium to voice ideas, reflect reality, and challenge norms. But censorship can often shackle this intent. The recent controversy surrounding 'JSK: Janaki vs. State of Kerala', starring Suresh Gopi, lays bare the struggle. The CBFC's objection to the character name "Janaki"—a reference also associated with a Hindu goddess—forced the makers into a difficult corner, raising questions about how far creative choices can stretch before crossing invisible lines. Narratives rewritten, messages muted Censorship doesn't just trim scenes—it can twist the spine of a story. In JSK's case, the board's refusal to clear the film due to its title and character representation has delayed its release. Such interference risks muting stories that tackle real, difficult issues like sexual assault. When films are modified to appease sensibilities, their emotional and social impact can be lost. Janaki vs State Of Kerala - Official Hindi Teaser (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) 'We are moving backwards' - Actor Vinu Mohan Speaking to the media regarding the 'JSK' censorship controversy, the 'Nivedhyam' actor Vinu Mohan said, 'There's a sequence I acted in that film, and if the film was released today, I fear I could have invited some issues. There was a time when art was valued as a form of expression. Sadly, we now seem to be heading towards a mindset where it's more likely to be seen as offensive.' He further said that censorship would become a norm. The actor added, 'That's why we're protesting — to ensure these incidents don't become a pattern,' Director Abhinav Sunder Nayak on 'Oppenheimer' censorship - Those scenes were crucial to character exploration During the time when Christopher Nolan's epic drama film 'Oppenheimer' was released, the Indian audiences were only able to watch the censored version which removed the explicit scenes in the film. (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Reacting to the same, the director Abhinav Sunder Nayak told exclusively to ETimes, 'I cannot arrive at a conclusion whether the censorship of the explicit sequences in the movie has hampered my experience as I have not watched the full version yet. From what I saw from the censored version of 'Oppenheimer', I think Christopher Nolan wanted to explore much into the fact that J Robert Oppenheimer was a womanizer, and the inclusion of those explicit sequences could have worked well as the movie lays emphasis on character study. ' 'How can one experience what the director intended to convey?' The 'Mukundan Unni Associates' director further said that the director's original message gets affected if some pivotal sequences are edited away from the movie. Abhinav further told us, 'From what I saw, I think Nolan wrote the film's story highlighting the sex life of Robert Oppenheimer and that should be also viewed from a psychological perspective. If those pivotal sequences are cut away from the movie then how can one experience what the director intended to convey? I really can't point out what all I have missed from that character's life journey. ' Fear of silence, fear of repercussions Perhaps the most damaging consequence is the unseen one: fear. The fear that bold content won't make it past the board often leads to self-censorship. 'JSK's struggle has stirred Kerala's film fraternity to protest—not just for one film, but for every story waiting to be told without fear.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Exclusive: Ramayan's Dipika Chikhlia on if she was approached for Nitesh Tiwari's magnum opus Ramayana; says ‘I cannot play any character in Ramayan'
With Ranbir Kapoor's first look as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana generating massive buzz, many fans have turned nostalgic about Ramanand Sagar's iconic 1987 serial Ramayan. For millions, Dipika Chikhlia remains the one and only Sita — a portrayal so deeply etched in public memory that she was revered as a living embodiment of the Goddess. Speaking exclusively to Times of India TV, Dipika revealed that she was never approached for a role in the upcoming magnum opus. 'I was never approached. I guess they've not even bothered to speak to me about it,' she said. She further explained her reluctance to be associated with Ramayana in any other capacity. 'Once I played Sita, I don't think I can play any other character in Ramayan. It's something I'm not sure about. If I was doing something in Mahabharat or Shiv Puran, I could still give it a thought, but not in a Ramayana film.' Dipika Chikhlia's portrayal of Sita was graceful, restrained, and full of devotion — qualities that made her a national icon. Her screen presence and quiet strength struck a chord with viewers of all generations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo So powerful was her performance that she was often invited to religious events as Sita Maa herself. Now, as Sai Pallavi steps into the revered role, comparisons are inevitable — but Dipika's legacy remains untouchable. Her role in Ramayan wasn't just acting; it was a spiritual connection shared by millions. As Ranbir, Yash, and Sai Pallavi take center stage in the new adaptation, audiences can't help but revisit the original — a show where characters weren't just loved, they were worshipped. For Dipika, Sita was once in a lifetime — and always will be.
The Print
6 hours ago
- The Print
Why Union Minister Suresh Gopi-starrer ‘Janaki' is in censor board's crosshairs
Ironically, the notice was sent to the film makers on the day the movie was scheduled for a world-wide release. In a show cause notice dated 27 June, issued to the makers of Malayalam feature film JSK–Janaki v/s State of Kerala, the Board asked them to change the name of the lead character 'Janaki' in the title and dialogues, or wherever it occurs in the movie. The objection is under Clauses 2(xii) and 6 of the Guidelines for certification of Films of Public Exhibition. New Delhi: The word 'Janaki' is provocative, vulgar, offensive and contemptuous of race and religion. Or so the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) thinks. To make matters worse, the Board's notice gave liberty to the production company to appeal against the former's order before a tribunal that has been abolished. The notice said the company, if aggrieved by its order, can move the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) within 30 days. However, with the notification of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, FCAT no longer exists. In Hindu mythology, 'Janaki' specifically refers to Sita, the wife of Lord Ram. The notice has now been challenged in the Kerala High Court, where the film producer has claimed that the Board's move is not just discriminatory, but also lacks consistency. In the writ petition filed before the HC, the producer—Cosmos Entertainment—claimed that many films with the word 'Janaki' in the title have been released in the past, with CBFC's clearance. Besides, films with titles or lead characters with names referencing other Hindu figures too have been screened without any objection from the Board, the petition claims. Therefore, the Board's move to block JSK—Janaki v/s State of Kerala—amounts to selective targeting and demonstrates non-application of mind, which is an arbitrary exercise of power, says the petition. The petition further asserts that the continued use of the name 'Janaki' in Indian cinema underscores that it is not intrinsically offensive or controversial. During a hearing Tuesday, the Kerala HC bench of Justice N. Nagaresh accepted the production company's suggestion to view the film before deciding on the petition. The film shall be screened for him on 7 July at 10 am at Lal Media, Palarivattom. Though the CBFC has officially not given reasons for the show cause notice it issued to the production company, before the court its lawyer had contended that the character 'Janaki' in the film is sexually assaulted. Speaking to ThePrint, the production company's advocate Anand Menon said that the objection came as a surprise to his client. 'When the movie was previewed in Trivandrum, the board's representatives orally told the production company that the movie would receive a UA 13+ certificate for its release,' he said. Also the Board's examining committee had cleared the movie. Sub-clause 12 of Clause 2 of the said guidelines provides that the Board shall ensure that the visuals or words that are contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups are not presented. Clause 6 authorises the Board to scrutinise the titles of the films carefully and ensure they are not provocative, vulgar, offensive or violative of any other guidelines. CBFC derives these delegated powers from sections 5B(1) and 5B(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 that enumerates guiding principles to certify films. Under section 5B(1), the Board can decline to certify a film for public exhibition if the film or any part of it is against the interests of the security of the State, friendly relations with a foreign State, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of offence. The Guidelines for Certification of Films of Public Exhibition, which have been invoked to raise objection against JSK—Janaki v/s State of Kerala, have been issued by the Centre under section 5B(2) of the Act. This provision says the Centre can set out principles that will guide the competent authority to clear the film for release Significantly, the production company's advocate Anand Menon said that the Board has not recommended any other cuts or modifications, which indicate that the film, otherwise, satisfies the statutory certification standards. 'The refusal to certify the film solely on the basis of a fictional name reflects an excessive, unreasonable and disproportionate exercise of discretion,' he said. As per the petition in the HC, the CBFC had on 28 March issued a teaser certificate to the film without any objections. On 18 June, the film was screened before the CBFC's examination committee. When the production house did not receive any feedback from CBFC, it moved a petition in HC, seeking its intervention in light of the inaction and delay on the Board's part in issuing the censor certificate. During a hearing of this petition on 25 June, the Board told the HC it had constituted a revising committee to view the film and that it would file its report before the court. Two days later, however, the movie producer received the show-cause notice, objecting to the film's name. According to the production house, the film is slated for theatrical release in 21 countries and any disruption now will result in escalated logistics and distribution costs. The direction to change the name 'Janaki' in the title and dialogues at this belated stage will impose an unreasonable and disproportionate burden on the film's producers as implementing the change would require extensive re-dubbing by at least 16 voice artists, the petition points out. This will be 'commercially catastrophic, operationally impracticable and manifestly arbitrary,' the petition has said. Lead actor Suresh Gopi would alone have to re-dub over 96 instances where the name 'Janaki' appears. This is likely to take 15 days, whereas the film is scheduled to release in five languages and corresponding re-dubbing in all those languages would also be necessitated. CBFC's objection also threatens to disrupt the movie's release on OTT platforms since the contractual terms require the production company to hand over the final cut of the film by 30 July. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: 127 cuts for Punjab '95 shows institutional paranoia
