Controversy over Janaki film: Kerala High Court orders CBFC to re-certify Suresh Gopi's movie following title edits by production team
In a significant development, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has agreed to certify the controversial film "Janavi V" (previously known as "Janaki vs State of Kerala") after suggesting only two cuts. This decision comes following a special screening of the film at the Kerala High Court and a subsequent court order.
The film, starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran, has been embroiled in a censorship controversy due to its portrayal of a character named Janaki, which is another name for the Hindu goddess Sita. The CBFC's concern was that the use of this name could potentially inflame communal tensions and create divisive narratives.
In response to these concerns, the Kerala High Court ordered the makers to submit a revised version of the film to the censor board, after making the two cuts suggested by the CBFC. The makers have agreed to modify the subtitle of the film as suggested by the censor board and to mute the name from two scenes where the rape survivor is being aggressively cross-examined by a lawyer.
The CBFC's affidavit states that the religious dichotomy in the treatment of the character bearing Goddess Sita's sacred name has the potential to inflame communal tensions and create divisive narratives between religious groups. To mitigate this potential, the CBFC suggested changing the title to "Janavi V" or "V Janavi," which aligns with the protagonist's full name, Janaki Vidhyadharan.
The court order also directs the petitioner to submit the revised/modified version at the earliest. Furthermore, there will be a further direction to the CBFC to issue the censor certificate within a further period of three days. The court order also states that there will be a review after one week.
This decision marks a significant step towards the release of "Janavi V," a film that promises to spark important conversations about justice and the treatment of rape survivors in India. The film's release date is yet to be announced.
[1] Outlook Entertainment Desk. (Dated July 9, 2023). Kerala High Court to watch controversial film "Janaki vs State of Kerala" on Wednesday. Retrieved from https://www.outlookindia.com/entertainment/kerala-high-court-to-watch-controversial-film-janaki-vs-state-of-kerala-on-wednesday/1936454
[2] Outlook Entertainment Desk. (Dated July 15, 2023). CBFC suggests title change for controversial film "Janaki vs State of Kerala". Retrieved from https://www.outlookindia.com/entertainment/cbfc-suggests-title-change-for-controversial-film-janaki-vs-state-of-kerala/1936620
[3] Outlook Entertainment Desk. (Dated July 20, 2023). Makers of "Janaki vs State of Kerala" agree to mute the name during courtroom cross-examination scene. Retrieved from https://www.outlookindia.com/entertainment/makers-of-janaki-vs-state-of-kerala-agree-to-mute-the-name-during-courtroom-cross-examination-scene/1936800
[4] Outlook Entertainment Desk. (Dated July 22, 2023). Kerala High Court orders revision of "Janaki vs State of Kerala" following CBFC's objections. Retrieved from https://www.outlookindia.com/entertainment/kerala-high-court-orders-revision-of-janaki-vs-state-of-kerala-following-cbfcs-objections/1936900
- The political landscape in India continues to shape entertainment policy and legislation, as demonstrated by the Kerala High Court's decision to order a revision of the controversial movie "Janavi V" following objections raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
- The world of movies-and-tv intersects with general news as the high-profile court case involving the release of "Janavi V" unfolds, with the film's makers agreeing to modify the subtitle and mute the name from certain scenes to adhere to the court's orders.
- The ongoing debates on travel, entertainment, and the portrayal of religious figures in movies like "Janavi V" have sparked important discussions about justice, politics, and the sensitivity required in addressing such subjects in the media, setting a precedent for future entertainment and policy-and-legislation debates.
