Janaki Vs State Of Kerala Title Row: Malayalam Film Industry Holds Protest In Front Of CBFC Office

Malayalam film industry, on Monday (June 30), came together in Thiruvananthapuram to hold protest against the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) 'arbitrary' censorship over JSK - Janaki vs State of Kerala's title and character name. Earlier, the CBFC objected to the film’s title, which led the producers approach the Kerala High Court.

Kerala film industry protests outside CBFC office

As per a report in PTI, leading producers, directors, actors, and technicians united for the day-long protest, where they alleged that the CBFC chairman's (Prasoon Joshi) directive to change JSK's title to "secure censorship clearance was a serious infringement on freedom of expression and amounted to unnecessary religious censorship."

B Unnikrishnan, director, producer, and General Secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), told PTI Videos that only the producer can take the decision to change a film's title. He also said that the protest was for the larger issue of censorship and the violation of filmmakers' creative rights.

He added, "They are raising objections based on the use of certain names and are refusing to issue censorship certificates. Cinema transcends religious or caste considerations, and we cannot allow this to continue."

Unnikrishnan also stated that the Malayalam film industry may not be very large in terms of numbers, but it "will not remain silent in the face of such attacks on creative freedom."

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, who was also part of the protest, said that Suresh Gopi, who is also a Minister of State in the Central Government, should think about on how his government is "stifling freedom of expression."

National Award-winning actor, Indrans, said he is 'scared' and added, "I do not know what awaits us when we bring out new films. It is frightening."

JSK has been directed by Pravin Narayanan and it also stars Anupama Parameswaran in the lead role, alongside Suresh Gopi. The story revolves around the legal battle of an assaulted woman named Janaki against the state. It was supposed to hit the screens on June 27, 2025.