High Court in Kerala mandates Cinema Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a censor certificate for the film Janaki starring Suresh Gopi, following the producers' acceptance of two requested adjustments.
In a significant turn of events, the Kerala High Court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a censor certificate to the Malayalam film "JSK: Janaki v State of Kerala", starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi. The film, which tells the story of a rape survivor named 'Janaki Vidhyadharan', has been embroiled in a controversial dispute with the CBFC over its portrayal of the character.
The CBFC objected to the use of the name "Janaki" as the title and character name, citing concerns about its religious sensitivity and potential to inflame communal tensions. The board argued that the character named 'Janaki' is shown to be a rape survivor, who is depicted as someone enduring multiple traumatic events. This portrayal, they feared, could diminish the sanctity associated with Goddess Sita and risk instigating communal and religious tensions.
In response, the film's producers agreed to make alterations to the film, including revising the film's subtitle by altering the name 'Janaki' to 'Janaki V' or 'V Janaki', aligning it with the character's full name. They also agreed to mute the name 'Janaki' during a courtroom cross-examination scene.
The Kerala High Court questioned the CBFC's objection, noting the inconsistency since films with mythological names like "Seeta Aur Geeta" or "Ram Lakhan" have not faced similar issues. The court also raised concerns about the delay in certification affecting the film's release and the producers' rights to free speech.
The CBFC maintains that its concerns were not based solely on the use of a religious name but on the portrayal of the character. In a detailed affidavit, the CBFC stated that the portrayal involves a complex religious dynamic: Janaki (named after a revered deity) is aided by a man from one religious community but cross-examined harshly by a person from another religious community.
The case has been postponed for further consideration next week. The production house, M/s Cosmos Entertainments, approached the Court with a writ petition after the CBFC failed to issue a certificate, despite an application being submitted online on June 12. Advocate Haris Beeran appeared for the petitioners, while Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud appeared for the CBFC.
The delay by the CBFC in issuing the censor certificate is seen as a violation of the petitioner's fundamental right to free speech guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India and heavy financial losses. The Court has recorded that it will post the matter for further consideration after one week.
The CBFC's objection to the film's title and character name, "Janaki," has extended to social media platforms, with discussions surrounding the potential implications of the name on religious sensitivities and communal tensions. In an attempt to ease concerns, the film's producers have agreed to change the subtitle and mute the name during a specific scene. Furthermore, the producers might leverage social media to generate buzz for the film, which showcases entertainment that challenges conventional narratives, while addressing sensitive topics such as rape and the justice system.
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