Will characters be numbered next?: Renji Panicker slams ‘Janaki’ name controversy

Director, screenwriter and actor Renji Panicker voiced strong concerns over the CBFC’s demand to change the name ‘Janaki’ in the Suresh Gopi courtroom drama ‘JSK: Janaki vs State of Kerala.’

Speaking at a press conference called by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), he warned of the slippery slope this sets for creative freedom.

Renji Panicker argued that today’s dispute over a character’s name could spiral into an absurd future.

“According to our culture and tradition, all names are related to divine names in some way or the other. This applies to any religion. A dispute regarding a name today might lead to a situation tomorrow where characters have to be numbered instead of named.”

He highlighted the broader implications of censoring names revered in religious traditions.

“Janaki is the name of one of the thirty‑three crore deities. The same danger exists in relation to all religions. This should be seen as the beginning of the disturbing events that the current state of our country may lead to in the future. Tomorrow, there will be a situation where films, stories, and plays will have to be made without giving any names, numbering all characters.”

About JSK: Janaki vs State of Kerala

‘JSK: Janaki vs State of Kerala’ is a courtroom drama directed by Pravin Narayanan, starring Suresh Gopi as Advocate David Abel Donovan and Anupama Parameswaran as Janaki, an IT professional seeking justice after a traumatic crime.

The film, produced by Cosmos Entertainments, has become caught in a dispute after passing through regional censorship and teaser approval.

The national CBFC revising committee has reportedly requested a change to the character’s name and the title, citing concern that ‘Janaki’ refers to the Hindu goddess Sita.