Janaki title row: Kerala HC to watch 'Janaki vs State of Kerala' film on Saturday

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on the petition against the CBFC’s directive to change the title of the Malayalam film Janaki vs the State of Kerala, stating that the court will first watch the film before passing any orders.

Justice N Nagaresh will watch the film on Saturday (July 5) at a studio selected by the production company.

Earlier on Monday, the Kerala High Court questioned CBFC over its insistence on changing the name "Janaki" in the upcoming Suresh Gopi-starrer Malayalam film, 'Janaki vs the State of Kerala'.

Justice N Nagaresh observed that the reason cited by the board that the title violates certification guidelines appears prima facie unsustainable.

"How is it contemptuous to any racial, religious, or other group? Why cannot the name be used? The case cannot be indefinitely adjourned," the court said.

The court said that in the movie, the character Janaki is not an accused.

"She is a victim. She is a heroine fighting for justice. Are you dictating the filmmakers...," the court asked, during a hearing on a plea filed by the filmmakers.

The petition challenged the demand from the CBFC's Revising Committee to remove or change the name "Janaki" from the film, which is used throughout the storyline.

The committee's direction came as a condition for granting the film's censor certificate.

The Pravin Narayanan-directed film, starring Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran in the lead roles, reportedly revolves around the legal battle of an assaulted woman named Janaki against the state.

The film was allegedly denied screening clearance because ‘Janaki', an alternative name for Goddess Sita, cannot be used for such a character.