Major organisations from the Malayalam film industry are gearing up for a demonstration this Monday, June 30, outside the regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Thiruvananthapuram. The protest is a direct response to the CBFC Revising Committee’s recent objection to the title and central character name of the courtroom drama JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala.
Originally scheduled to hit screens on June 27, the film starring Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi opposite Anupama Parameswaran has been stymied by the board’s refusal to grant a final screening certificate. Director Pravin Narayanan revealed on social media that the Revising Committee demanded removal of Janaki from the title and a change to the survivor character’s name, on the grounds that Janaki is traditionally associated with the Hindu goddess Sita. This intervention comes despite the film having already secured a U/A 13+ rating with no cuts mandated.
CBFC’s Revising Committee Sparks Outrage
FEFKA General Secretary B Unnikrishnan criticised the move as arbitrary and excessive, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent. “Several filmmakers and writers have contacted us already, expressing concern over whether they will be able to use culturally rooted names in their stories without facing backlash,” he said. Nirmal K. Unni, a producer, mused, “if names can be vetoed on religious grounds, what’s to stop every name from being challenged?”
Film Bodies Rally for Artistic Freedom
The protest is being spearheaded by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), the Kerala Film Producers’ Association, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and the Directors’ Union. Renji Panicker, president of the Directors’ Union, voiced alarm over the wider implications. “Are we heading towards a situation where characters must be identified by numbers instead of names? Any name could be objected to, given India’s diverse religious landscape,” he asked.
JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala is produced by J Phanindra Kumar under the Cosmos Entertainments banner, with Renadive on cinematography, Samjith Mohamed in charge of editing and Ghibran composing the score. The ensemble cast includes Madhav Suresh, Shruti Ramachandran, Divya Pillai, Askar Ali, Baiju Santhosh, Kottayam Ramesh and Shoby Thilakan.
Earlier this week, the filmmakers approached the Kerala High Court seeking redress for the undue delay by the CBFC in issuing the screening certificate. However, with only days left until the scheduled protest, industry insiders say the demonstration is as much about defending creative rights as it is about unlocking a single film’s release.
For Malayalam cinema which has long been celebrated for its willingness to tackle complex social issues and present layered characters this clash with the CBFC is a flashpoint. As the July releases loom, all eyes will be on Thiruvananthapuram this Monday, where artists and technicians will march together in defence of artistic expression. Whether the protest sways the board or prompts policy change remains to be seen, but the industry’s unity sends a clear message: creative freedom cannot be censored into submission.
Also Read: Kriti Sanon shares insight into her intense preparation for Janaki in Adipurush
