The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has come under fire for its contentious censorship decision regarding the Malayalam film Janaki vs State of Kerala, drawing sharp satire.

The board’s order — to rename the film by altering the protagonist’s name from “Janaki” to “V Janaki” or “Janaki V” — has triggered ridicule online and allegations of excessive censorship bordering on absurdity.

What was CBFC's objection?

The CBFC raised objections to the use of the name “Janaki” for the film’s lead character, citing that it is another name for Goddess Sita, and thus might “hurt religious sentiments.” The board further claimed that a courtroom scene — in which a Muslim male character cross-examines the rape survivor Janaki — could trigger communal disharmony. As a result, the CBFC ordered the filmmakers to mute the character’s name in that particular scene and rename the film’s title by including only the character’s initial.

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How did Sivankutty and Lijo react?

Minister V Sivankutty trolled the CBFC in trademark style. Posting his full name on Facebook as “V Sivankutty”, he took a tongue-in-cheek swipe at the logic behind forcing the film’s character to adopt an initial. This post was widely shared and interpreted as a satirical protest against institutional overreach.

Filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery, acclaimed Malayalam  director, joined the trolling with a cryptic yet biting post: “V for......”, allowing readers to fill in the rest. His caption triggered a flood of social media mockery aimed at the censor board.

Noted director Jude Anthany Joseph added his two cents with a pointed one-word comment: Vivaradhosham — meaning “Ignorance” — directly calling out the CBFC’s reasoning.

Kerala's General Education Minister V Sivankutty just posted his full name on facebook aimimg ‘V’ wave.

What’s the film about?

Janaki vs State of Kerala tells the story of Janaki Vidyadharan, a sexual assault survivor seeking justice starred by Suresh Gopi, also a Union Minister, who plays the role of the lawyer representing the rape survivor in the film. Anupama Parameswaran plays the role of Janaki, the rape survivor whose struggle for justice is at the center of this courtroom drama.

Its powerful subject matter already positioned the film as socially relevant. But ironically, CBFC’s objections — rooted in concerns over the character’s name and potential religious misinterpretation — have shifted attention from the film’s theme to a debate on censorship, religion, and gender.

Also read: TG Ravi on ‘Janaki’ row

Criticism of CBFC and Suresh Gopi’s link

Critics argue that the board's stance reveals a dangerous trend of moral policing and arbitrary censorship. Some commentators also noted the political undertones, especially with Union Minister and BJP leader Suresh Gopi being a high-profile Central appointee from Kerala — though he’s not directly linked to the CBFC's decision, his name has come up in social media debates, with users sarcastically asking if he endorses this ‘linguistic policing’ of Malayalam cinema.

Is controversy helping the film?

A growing section of the public and industry insiders believe that the film is receiving unintended promotion thanks to the controversy. “Trivial censorship is becoming a tool for viral PR,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter), while others suggested the whole episode has only increased curiosity about the film.

Producers comply

Despite the backlash, the film’s producers have agreed to the CBFC’s conditions in order to proceed with the release. The film will now appear as V Janaki (or Janaki V), and the name will be muted in the court scene.

But the damage — or rather the attention — has already been done. The issue is no longer about just one name, but about artistic freedom, censorship overreach, and the absurdity of selectively applying religious sentiment as a reason to censor.