The release of Janaki Vs State of Kerala, starring Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran, has been halted once again. Just a day before its planned premiere on June 27, the film failed to get clearance from the Censor Board’s revision committee.
According to On Manorama, the committee, which viewed the film in Mumbai on Thursday, upheld the earlier decision requiring the makers to change the main character’s name, “Janaki.” The move has shocked the team, who were hopeful after the Kerala regional panel had cleared the film.
Director Pravin Narayanan shared the setback on Facebook, revealing the Board’s insistence on altering the name despite regional approval. In a statement, the filmmakers said a name change is impractical at this stage. “The name ‘Janaki’ is used over 90 times in the film. Changing it now would compromise the movie’s integrity,” they explained.
Adding to their frustration, the Board has not clarified why the name is considered objectionable.
Janaki Vs State of Kerala follows a woman’s courtroom battle against the state. Anupama Parameswaran plays the titular role, while Suresh Gopi makes a strong return as a senior lawyer in the legal drama.
The controversy has sparked industry outrage. The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) announced protests in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. A press conference is planned in Kochi on June 27 to discuss the next steps. For now, the film remains uncertified, and its release is postponed indefinitely.