Latest news with #JSK–JanakiVsStateofKerala
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
CBFC reiterates demand to rename film JSK, production firm agrees to demand
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has informed the Kerala High Court that it is opposed to the character by name 'Janaki' (which is another name for Goddess Sita) being shown as subjected to rape and also being aggressively cross-examined by a lawyer from another religion, who poses many humiliating questions to her, to name a few instances, as among the reasons for not issuing censor certificate for the movie JSK – Janaki Vs State of Kerala. The Board's affidavit says the petition filed by the film production company fails to appreciate that films are evaluated in their entirety, rather than in isolation. It also fails to understand that the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 of the Constitution is not absolute, and is subject to reasonable restrictions. The certification process, therefore, represents a careful balance between creative freedom and regulatory oversight. The title and the lead character of the film have a religious connotation and will have a tendency to cause public disorder, since they are named after Goddess Janaki (Sita), who holds profound religious significance in the Ramayana. Justifying the CBFC's demand for the change of name, board's counsel contended that the character Janaki in the film was depicted as a rape survivor. Moreover, permitting such films for public exhibition would set a dangerous precedent and open a pandora's box for future productions. This would undermine religious sentiments across communities and pose a serious threat to public order. In the meantime, the production company of the film agreed to change the name 'Janaki' in the film as 'Janaki V', in adherence to the suggestion by the CBFC, since the character's full name is Janaki Vidyadharan. The movie would thus be rechristened as Janaki V. Vs State of Kerala. It also agreed to the recommendation to either mute the reference to the name 'Janaki' or chose an alternative name at two instances in the film. The CBFC said it would issue the censor certificate within three days of the producer firm submitting the film in its revised form. The Bench of Justice N. Nagaresh posted the case for hearing on July 16. Justice Nagaresh had watched the movie, starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi, on Saturday, based on a request by Cosmos Entertainments, the film's production company.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
JSK – Janaki Vs State of Kerala row: K.C. Venugopal slams Suresh Gopi's silence
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Thursday (July 3, 2025) strongly criticised the censor board for denying clearance to the film JSK – Janaki Vs State of Kerala and hit out at Union Minister Suresh Gopi, who plays the lead role, for staying silent on the matter. According to sources, the film was denied certification because the name 'Janaki' – another name for goddess Sita — was used for the lead character, a woman fighting a legal battle after being assaulted. "We've heard actor and Union Minister Suresh Gopi say many times that cinema is his lifeblood – like rice is to daily sustenance. Yet, even as a system he is part of throws mud onto that very rice, he remains silent," Mr. Venugopal wrote in a Facebook post. The Alappuzha MP urged Mr. Gopi, an actor-turned politician, to break his silence and speak up for his own film and for his fellow artistes. Mr. Venugopal accused the censor board of attacking artistic freedom. "The stance taken by the censor board sets fire to the very foundation of freedom of expression," he said. "In cinema and literature, creators have the constitutional freedom to choose titles and names. Denying that is an insult to the Constitution itself," he said. Mr. Venugopal pointed out that names such as Ram, Krishna, Sita, and Radha have been used for decades in Indian films, and many popular movies have carried similar names. "Most personal names in India come from Hindu mythology," he said, adding that the Congress governments never allowed the censor board to act in ways that undermined its credibility. He expressed full support for the film and its makers. "Every censor board member who imposed cuts in the name of narrow-minded politics should study the Constitution and the country's history," the Congress leader said. Venugopal also raised concerns over the larger trend. "Even the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan had to undergo cuts after being screened in theatres," he said. 'Declared agenda' "Where is the BJP taking this country? What kind of fear is forcing artistes to censor their own creations?" Mr. Venugopal asked and demanded that the Central government and the departments concerned clearly state their position. "The government's continued silence, even after the matter reached the courts, is suspicious," he said. "This appears to be a declared agenda – controlling food, clothing, names, and now even art," the AICC general secretary alleged. Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday said it would watch the film on July 5 before deciding on the censor board's demand to change the name 'Janaki'.
