Criticism Surrounds "Janaki V vs State Of Kerala" Film Starring Suresh Gopi: Online Users claiming the Courtroom Drama Fails to Create Impact
The much-anticipated courtroom drama, "Janaki V vs State of Kerala," starring Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran, hit the theatres on Thursday, July 17. The film, produced by J. Phanindra Kumar under Cosmos Entertainments, with Sethuraman Nair Kankol as co-producer, was granted certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on July 11.
The film, directed by Pravin Narayanan, revolves around an IT professional from Bangalore who becomes the victim of a horrific incident in her hometown in Kerala. Despite its noble intent, the movie has received mixed to negative reviews, with public opinion largely centring around its treatment of the sensitive subject of sexual assault and justice.
Critics have highlighted that although the narrative is about the survivor, Janaki, her voice gets frequently sidelined beneath the grandstanding of male characters. This imbalance in focus undercuts the emotional core and authenticity of her experience. The film opens with a prologue on the male lawyer’s background rather than diving into Janaki's story, reinforcing this imbalance.
The film has been criticised for its muddled writing and execution, with a legal drama that sometimes feels overly theatrical and outdated. Some reviewers feel the movie suffers from "superstar syndrome" by giving excessive importance and screen time to Suresh Gopi's character, David Abel Donovan, who delivers lengthy, heroic speeches that detract from Janaki’s central role.
However, some positive notes include recognition of the film as a hard-hitting legal drama engaged with real social issues around sexual assault and justice, and a strong presence by Suresh Gopi as a veteran actor. Yet, this is contrasted by complaints about the film's dramatic excesses and convoluted legal narrative.
Ratings have been relatively low, with one noted review giving it around 1.5 out of 5, criticising the sidelining of the protagonist’s voice and the uneven narrative focus. Despite these criticisms, the film has received some positive reviews from X users, with one calling it a "well-made court room drama with a proper execution" and another calling it a "must-watch for fans of realistic and impactful cinema."
Initially, the film faced objections from CBFC over the title character 'Janaki,' which is another name for the goddess Sita. However, after the makers edited the title, the Kerala High Court asked CBFC to certify the film. There was also a protest in front of the CBFC office by members of the Malayalam Film Industry regarding the title row of the film "Janaki V." CBFC required the film's title to be changed and for the name 'Janaki' to be muted in one courtroom scene.
In summary, public and critical reception points to the film’s noble intent but flawed execution. While it tackles a vital social issue and avoids some clichés, it ultimately falters by giving disproportionate prominence to its star actor, diluting the survivor’s story and emotional impact. The film is viewed as a courtroom drama with dramatic flair but lacking the emotional depth and focus expected from its premise.
- The negative reviews for "Janaki V vs State of Kerala" seem to echo a common sentiment that the film, despite its focus on a relevant social issue, fails to provide a balanced narrative, often sidelining the protagonist's voice in favor of the male characters and overly theatrical scenes.
- In light of this, some viewers might find solace in the diverse world of entertainment, such as sports or movies-and-tv, that often provide a more engaging and equitable portrayal of characters and stories.
