On Friday, the Kerala High Court questioned the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regarding its opposition to the use of the name ‘Janaki’ in the Malayalam movie ‘JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala’, featuring Union Minister and BJP leader Suresh Gopi along with actor Anupama Parameswaran.
Upon reviewing a petition submitted by Cosmos Entertainment regarding the delay in certification, Justice N Nagaresh noted that Indian cinema has a longstanding tradition of using mythological names without issue.
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CBFC had sent a show cause notice to the filmmakers
The court’s remarks followed the CBFC sending a show cause notice to the filmmakers, instructing them to remove the name ‘Janaki’ from the film’s title and dialogue.
The CBFC contended that using the name ‘Janaki’, linked to Goddess Sita, in a film with this content might breach guideline 2 (xi) of Section 5B(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which forbids visuals or words derogatory to racial, religious, or other communities.
Today, the DSGI notified the Court that the Screening Committee has determined the film is appropriate for unrestricted public screening, provided that the name of the lead character ‘Janaki’ is removed or altered wherever it appears.
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Screening Committee had already approved the movie, said Court
The court, however, questioned the reasoning for this objection and pointed out that the CBFC’s Screening Committee had already approved the film, yet the Chairman sent it to the Revising Committee, which subsequently brought up the name-related concern.
Instructing that the show cause notice be presented to the court on June 30, the judge informed the filmmakers that they can either reply to the notice or submit an appeal.
The production house stated it sent the film for certification on June 12 and finished the screening on June 18. They claim that the delay, along with the abrupt opposition regarding the name, is leading to financial detriment and infringes upon their constitutional rights under Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech) and 19(1)(g) (right to engage in any profession).
