JSK-Janaki vs State of Kerala
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has demanded the producers of the film JSK , Janaki vs State of KeralaStarring Union Minister Suresh Gopi, to change the title of the film. Filmmaker Praveen Narayanan told Hindu On Sunday, the board’s stand effectively stopped the release of the film for 27 June. Asked about the issue, CBFC regional officials were developed and said “the certification process continues.”
According to Shri Narayanan, the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Office of CBFC approved the censoring of the film with a U/A certificate on 18 June. However, when the regional office forwarded the same to the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai, the higher officials there also demanded a change in the title as well as a change in the name of Janki’s title character, of course because the name also refers to Hindu goddess Sita.
“We were about to load the material with a sensor certificate attached on June 20 for delivery to the release centers worldwide. But that evening, CBFC officials told the producer that the film would not be certified until the names of the film and the character are changed. Also about starting,” said Shri Narayanan.
Minister to protest so far
He said that if the change is forced, the film will cause great harm because the name will have to be removed from many dialogues in the film. Mr. Gopi, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, is yet to comment on the entire issue. He was part of the film’s promotional programs in the last one week. The film is scheduled to release his first release after taking charge as a minister.
Suresh Gopi in JSK-Janaki vs Kerala State.
Incidentally, filmmaker MB Padmakumar recently talked about the issues faced by CBFC on a character in his upcoming film. Token number Janaki is being named. Board officials had demanded a change in the name of Janaki or her lover Abraham. Only after meeting the board’s demands, the film was certified a few days ago and converted Janaki to Jayant.
Fefka to protest
Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) General Secretary and Filmmaker B.Unnikrishnan excluded CBFC and said that if the board persists with demand, the federation would organize protests.
“It would be convenient if CBFC gives us a list of names that can be used. I am afraid that soon they will also ask me not to mention my name in credit, because it is also a Hindu god’s name. We have asked the filmmaker to legally proceed against it.”
B.A., Secretary, Kerala Film Producers Association. Rakesh has also criticized the growing trend of the sensor in the material, which he said that CBFC is against his own guidelines.
Published – June 22, 2025 06:28 pm IST
