Censorship controversy and CBFC objection
Prior to its release, Janaki vs State of Kerala became the center of a censorship dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Board reportedly denied certification to the film, objecting to the use of the name "Janaki" for the lead character, citing religious sensitivity as the name is associated with the Hindu goddess Sita. However, the filmmakers asserted that no formal written reason was provided by the CBFC for the objection, and they were verbally asked to change the character's name and the film's title. [23]
The move sparked widespread criticism from film industry bodies and political organizations. B. Unnikrishnan, General Secretary of Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) publicly supported the makers, calling the demand as "strange" and censorship is unjustified and an attack on creative freedom. [24] The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) also condemned the CBFC's stance, urging for artistic expression to be respected. [25] Several media outlets and legal experts raised concerns over the lack of a documented rationale from the censor board and the implications for freedom of speech in cinema.
As a result of the dispute, the film's release originally scheduled for 27 June 2025 was postponed until the matter was addressed. The filmmakers have stated that they will not make any changes as requested by the CBFC and are planning to pursue legal action against the board's decision. [26]
The Kerala High Court intervened in the dispute, sharply questioning the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and asked whether the CBFC now intends to dictate character names and storylines to filmmakers, highlighting that most names in India have religious connotations. Citing past films like Seeta Aur Geeta and Ram Lakhan, the court pointed out the inconsistency in the Board's stance. Justice N. Nagaresh directed the CBFC to submit a written affidavit explaining how the name "Janaki" violates any certification guidelines. The affidavit is to be filed by July 2, 2025, and the next hearing is scheduled for the same date. [27]
On 30 June 2025, several Malayalam film industry bodies including FEFKA, AMMA, and the Kerala Film Producers Association organized a symbolic protest outside the CBFC regional office at Chithranjali Studio, Thiruvananthapuram. Artists, directors, producers, and crew members participated, discarding scissors into a dustbin to symbolise rejection of censorship, and carried placards like "Fight against the Censor Board's denial of justice, protect freedom of expression". [28]
B. Unnikrishnan, FEFKA’s General Secretary, stated that the protest defended the freedom of the artist and objected to CBFC’s alleged interference in naming choices. [29]
Director Kamal compared the board's stance to censorship during the Emergency period, warning against excessive loyalty to authority over creative rights. [30]
Kerala's Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian also criticised the CBFC’s action, calling it “completely unacceptable” and stating that if such a barrier was placed even before a film featuring Union Minister Suresh Gopi, ordinary filmmakers would face even worse treatment. [31]
On July 2, 2025, the Kerala High Court directed that the film be screened for the bench on July 5, 2025, to evaluate the objections raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court scheduled the next hearing on July 9, 2025. [32]
On 9 July 2025, the Kerala High Court approved a settlement between the producers of the film and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The CBFC had initially demanded 96 cuts and a change in the film’s title and character name. However, following court-mediated talks, the CBFC scaled down its demands to just two minor changes: muting the name “Janaki” in two scenes and altering the film's title to reflect the character's full name.
The filmmakers accepted the changes, which involved muting the word “Janaki” in two courtroom scenes and revising the film’s title from Janaki v/s State of Kerala to Janaki V v/s State of Kerala (or V Janaki v/s State of Kerala) to align with the protagonist’s full name, Janaki Vidhyadharan. Though initially concerned about the financial and promotional implications of the late-stage modifications, the producers agreed to implement the edits. The Kerala High Court directed Cosmos Entertainments to submit the revised version for certification, and instructed the CBFC to issue the censor certificate within three days. [33]
