Artists from the Malayalam cinema and television fraternity under the umbrella of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Actors), Producers Association and FEFKA (Film Employees Federation of Kerala), staged a protest on Monday against the CBFC. The protest comes in support of the film ‘Janaki vs State of Kerala,’ which is facing censor’s radar over its title. The demonstration was held in front of the regional office of Central Bureau of Film Certification at Chitranjali Studio complex, Thiruvallam in Thiruvananthapuram. The film’s initial release was scheduled for June 20 which was postponed to June 27, but it again missed the date, following the censorship dispute due to its title.
Why Is The Film Facing CBFC Hurdle?
The movie starring Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi has been stalled after a demand was raised by the Censor board for a name change. Filmmakers stated that the censor board asked them to change the name ‘Janaki’, saying it also refers to the Hindu goddess Sita. In Hinduism, Goddess Sita is referred by many names and ‘Janaki’ is one of them.
Janaki v/s State of Kerala is an upcoming Malayalam-language courtroom drama film written and directed by Pravin Narayanan. The film stars Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran in the lead role. It narrates a story of a woman (Janaki) who takes legal fight against the state after facing a traumatic assault. Union Minister and superstar Suresh Gopi plays the senior advocate who represents Janaki in the court.
Reportedly, the board stated that God’s name should not be given to a woman who has been assaulted.
The film had been earlier cleared by the regional office of CBFC in Thiruvananthapuram with a U/A certificate. It was then sent to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Headquarters in Mumbai, where officials demanded change in the name of the film.
Notably, the change in film’s title means that dialogues in the film mentioning the name will also need to be changed.
Malayalam Film Fraternity Comes In Support
Reacting on the matter, B Unnikrishnan, President, FEFKA stated that everyone should come together to oppose the censorship. He asked Suresh Gopi to take this matter forwards as he is a minister and clarify how his government is dealing with the artistic freedom. He has publicly backed the makers, calling the censorship unjustified and an attack on creative freedom.
Unnikrishnan said “It needs to be opposed not only by the artist but everybody who is committed to the cause of the country’s diversity, dedicated to the country’s art and culture. All should come together. I think Suresh Gopi should learn from this experience of his own. Suresh Gopi is now not only a film actor but also a minister here, and he should understand how his government is dealing with the cinema, with the culture, with the poetry, with all creativity.”
He added, “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 problem with the connotations of the name Janaki.”
Unnikrishnan also clarified that the film does not contain any specific religious reference or allusions, according to its director. He called CBFC’s decision as “disturbing” and “arbitrary.”
“The film doesn’t have any specific religious reference or allusions, according to the director. So this decision is really disturbing and is very arbitrary. We are trying to figure out what exactly is the take of CBFC. We expect that they will furnish a show cause in the Honourable High Court this afternoon. After going through, after perusal of that document, we will take appropriate steps and address the issue properly,” said Unnikrishnan.
Meanwhile, producers of ‘Janaki Vs State of Kerala’ (JSK) have approached the Kerala High Court regarding the alleged unofficial directive from the CBFC. Union Minister Suresh Gopi is yet to comment on the matter.
Also Read: Telangana: BJP MLA T Raja Singh Resigns Amid Leadership Tussle
