Latest news with #SureshGopi-starrer
India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Malayalam film bodies protest Censor Board's demand to change Janaki title
In a significant protest against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), film associations in the Malayalam film industry have rallied together to oppose the board's demand for a title change in the Suresh Gopi-starrer 'Janaki vs State of Kerala'. The dispute stemmed from the CBFC's insistence on changing the film's title as Janaki refers to the Hindu Goddess Monday, artists and professionals from the Association for Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), the Producers Association, and (The Film Employees Federation of Kerala) FEFKA gathered in front of the CBFC's regional office in Thiruvananthapuram to express their controversy started when the CBFC expressed concerns about the film's title, 'Janaki', which they argued refers to the Hindu Goddess Sita. The CBFC's request for a name change has delayed the film's release, originally slated for June 20. This demand has sparked considerable unrest among the film's creators and supporters, who view it as 'arbitrary' and 'unwarranted' interference. B Unnikrishnan, General Secretary of FEFKA, voiced his concerns, describing the CBFC's demand as 'disturbing' and 'arbitrary'. He stated, "We are also not very sure or clear about the issue regarding the film JSK. But from our conversation with the director, what we understand is that the CBFC is very keen that the name of the protagonist (played by Anupama Parameswaran), that is Janaki, be changed to something else. They have some problems with the connotations of the name Janaki."advertisementDespite the CBFC's concerns, the director of 'Janaki vs State of Kerala' has clarified that the film does not include any religious references. Unnikrishnan further commented, "The film doesn't have any specific religious references or allusions, according to the director. So this decision is really disturbing and is very arbitrary."The film, starring Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi, has been met with strong reactions from within the industry and political figures. Binoy Viswam, CPI State Secretary, noted that "the protest was triggered by the recent incident of CBFC asking to remove Janaki from the title of the film. They have also demanded that the protagonist's name should be changed from Janaki to something else."Unnikrishnan emphasised the broader implications of the CBFC's actions, urging unity among artists and citizens who believe in cultural diversity. He stated, "It needs to be opposed not only by the artist but by everybody who is committed to the cause of the country's diversity, dedicated to the country's art and culture. All should come together."The film has already been cleared with a U/A certificate by the CBFC's regional office in Thiruvananthapuram but is now facing hurdles at the Mumbai headquarters. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the upcoming legal proceedings, with producers seeking clarity from the Kerala High Court on the CBFC's directive.'Janaki vs State of Kerala' tells the story of a woman who faced sexual assault and is pursuing a legal fight against the state.- Ends
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Now you'll dictate to directors which names they should use…': Kerala HC to censor board amid row over ‘Janaki' in film title
The Kerala High Court Monday asked whether the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is dictating the names and stories of the movies now. On the second day of hearing of the petition of producers of Suresh Gopi-starrer movie 'JSK: Janaki vs State of Kerala', which was denied certificate over the name Janaki, another name for Goddess Sita, the bench of Justice N Nagaresh directed Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) O M Shalina, who appeared for the CBFC, to submit an affidavit on July 2, detailing the reasons for not issuing the screening certificate to the film. On Monday, the DSGI told the court that film name Janaki refers to the Hindu goddess Sita, and the petitioners can use a neutral name for their film. The CBFC also submitted that the title of the film violates the guidelines issued by the Union Government in conformity with the Section 5B(2) of the Cinematograph Act, which deals with certifying films. At this stage, the court asked, 'Now you will dictate to directors and artists which names they should use and which stories they should tell. What is wrong with Janaki? How is it contemptuous of a religion? … That is the freedom of artists.'' The court said 80 per cent of the names in India have religious connotations and that the CBFC cannot dictate which name should be given or which story should be told. Observing that the board has no right to interfere with the story of a film, the court directed the CBFC to give a convincing answer how the name Janaki amounted contemptuous to racial, religious or other groups. When the petitioner said the film is about the fight of a rape survivor and Janaki is the name of the protagonist, the court wondered, 'Janaki is not a rapist. If a rapist is named as Rama, Krishna, Janaki, then I can understand. The heroine is fighting for justice, what is the problem with that name?'' Rajya Sabha MP and advocate Haris Beeran, who appeared for the producers, said the teaser of the film has been certified by the CBFC. The teaser was released three months back and so far no complaints had emerged related to the title Janaki, he pointed out. 'Has anyone complained about the name Janaki? Whose sentiments are being hurt? Has anyone actually raised an objection?' the judge asked. Following opposition to the CBFC regional office's first demand for a change in the title of the film, the matter was taken up by the Revising Committee of the board, which also called for the name change. On Friday, while hearing the petition, the court had directed the CBFC to furnish the show cause notice the CBFC had served on the film producers, Cosmos Entertainments. The case will be taken up again on Wednesday. The Pravin Narayanan-directed film, also starring Anupama Parameswaran in the lead role, reportedly revolves around the legal battle of an assaulted woman named Janaki against the state.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Janaki vs State of Kerala: Malayalam film bodies to stage protest before CBFC office for declining certification
Film personalities belonging to various movie organisations will stage a dharna before the office of the Central Board of Film Certfication (CBFC) on Monday to protest the Board's decision to decline certification to the film Janaki Vs State of Kerala (JSK). The CBFC revising committee had verbally directed the makers of the Suresh Gopi-starrer, JSK, to change the name of the titular character, as Janaki is another name of Goddess Sita. Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) general secretary B Unnikrishnan told reporters here on Friday that people belonging to the entire film industry will take part in the protest before the CBFC office in Thiruvananthapuram. Terming the CBFC's decision as 'arbitrary,' he wondered why the name change was being suggested after the film was cleared by the regional panel of the censor board. ALSO READ | Akshaye Khanna fired Vidya Balan after she refused to do a film opposite him: 'I was so scared, asked John Abraham to save me' The film was given U/A certification and was sent to the CBFC office in Mumbai, from where the change was suggested. 'We fail to understand the criterion behind such a decision,' he said. Earlier also, director M B Padmakumar's film, Token Number could be cleared for release only after changing the name of its female character from Janaki to Jayanthi, he said. Unnikrishnan said the teaser and trailer of JSK, cleared by the censor board, were being run in theatres for the last one month. 'We do not know if it has created any communal disharmony.' The film's director, Pravin Narayanan, in his Facebook post on Thursday, confirmed that he had been told by the revising committee members that the name of the central character be changed to get a certification. Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court, which is hearing a petition filed by the film's makers against the delay in getting certification, directed the censor board to inform its decision to the court on Friday itself.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Janaki vs State of Kerala: Malayalam film personalities to stage protest before CBFC office for declining certification
Film personalities belonging to various movie organisations will stage a dharna before the office of the Central Board of Film Certfication (CBFC) on Monday to protest the Board's decision to decline certification to the film 'Janaki Vs State of Kerala' (JSK). The CBFC revising committee had verbally directed the makers of the Suresh Gopi-starrer film, JSK, to change the name of the titular character, as Janaki is another name of Goddess Sita. Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) general secretary B Unnikrishnan told reporters here on Friday that people belonging to the entire film industry will take part in the protest before the CBFC office in Thiruvananthapuram. Terming the CBFC's decision as 'arbitrary,' he wondered why the name change was being suggested after the film was cleared by the regional panel of the censor board. ALSO READ | Akshaye Khanna fired Vidya Balan after she refused to do a film opposite him: 'I was so scared, asked John Abraham to save me' The film was given U/A certification and was sent to the CBFC office in Mumbai, from where the change was suggested. 'We fail to understand the criterion behind such a decision,' he said. Earlier also, director M B Padmakumar's film, 'Token Number' could be cleared for release only after changing the name of its female character from Janaki to Jayanthi, he said. Unnikrishnan said the teaser and trailer of JSK, cleared by the censor board, were being run in the theatres for the last one month. 'We do not know if it has created any communal disharmony.' The film's director, Pravin Narayanan, in his Facebook post on Thursday, confirmed that he had been told by the revising committee members that the name of the central character be changed to get a certification. Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court, which is hearing a petition filed by the film's makers against the delay in getting certification, directed the censor board to inform its decision to the court on Friday itself.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Malayalam film industry to protest CBFC move blocking Suresh Gopi film
Film personalities belonging to various movie organisations will stage a dharna before the office of the Central Board of Film Certfication (CBFC) on Monday to protest the Board's decision to decline certification to the film Janaki Vs State of Kerala' (JSK). The CBFC revising committee had verbally directed the makers of the Suresh Gopi-starrer film, JSK, to change the name of the titular character, as Janaki is another name of Goddess Sita. Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) general secretary B Unnikrishnan told reporters here on Friday that people belonging to the entire film industry will take part in the protest before the CBFC office in Thiruvananthapuram. Unnikrishnan said the teaser and trailer of JSK, cleared by the censor board, were being run in the theatres for the last one month. We do not know if it has created any communal disharmony. The film's director, Pravin Narayanan, in his Facebook post on Thursday, confirmed that he had been told by the revising committee members that the name of the central character be changed to get a certification. Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court, which is hearing a petition filed by the film's makers against the delay in getting certification, directed the censor board to inform its decision to the court on Friday itself.
