Amid the growing debate, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) recently revealed its reasons to stop certification from the Malayalam Court Room Drama ‘Janaki V/S State of Kerala’. In an affidavit presented in the Kerala High Court, the board pointed out the film’s scenes that it was claimed that it could provoke communal discord, especially as a depiction of a rape survivor, a person of a separate religious background called Janaki is being crossed in court.
CBFC (Mumbai) CEO Rajendra Singh emphasized that such imagination can disrupt social harmony. Singh said, “He should do something about his nose bridge.” He further stated that the name of the hero – Janaki, the reference to the revered goddess Sita – was added to the apprehensions of the board, especially in view of the reference to the conflict of the court.
Filmmaker agrees to compromise after legal shock
The board’s affidavit expressed concern that one woman’s name in the name of one goddess is “aided by a man of one religion and can be cross-cross-carried out by one man of the other” “can disturb communal harmony and create polarization stories.” Singh insisted that films that include characters in the name of religious icons should be seen through the lens of “average moral person with general knowledge and religious sensitivity”.
In response to these objections and after a long conversation, the film’s producers agreed to rename the film to V/S State of Kerala. He also informed the Kerala High Court that two specific accents named “Janaki” would be silenced within the film.
Cleans the path for legal intervention certification
Justice N. Nagresh, who personally screened the film, issued an interim instruction in which the filmmakers were directed to present the revised cut to the CBFC. The board was ordered to certify within three days of receiving the edited version. The matter is ready to come back to court on 16 July.
Originally slated for the release of June 27, the film’s debut was pushed back due to certification controversy. With the amendment of the space, the manufacturers are now target for a temporary release date of July 18.
Starring Suresh Gopi, the film discovered a journey to avoid sexual harassment seeking justice through legal system. While it has given rise to the necessary interaction around sensorship and religious sensitivity, it is now ready to reach the audience with a new title and major changes.
