A poster of 'Janaki v/s State of Kerala'.
Credit: X/@wizardabhi7
Thiruvananthapuram: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has allegedly denied permission for the release of union minister of state Suresh Gopi-starrer Malayalam film 'Janaki v/s State of Kerala' citing that the name 'Janaki' could not be allowed as it is another name of Lord Rama's wife Sita as per Hindu mythology.
The film's producer-director Pravin Narayanan wrote in a social media post, "Censor board denied permission to Janaki's release. The film won't be released on June 27."
While CBFC officials were not reachable to give their version, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) strongly flayed the CBFC.
FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan told reporters that the CBFC orally directed that the name Janaki could not be used for the title character of the film who is the victim of a trauma as Janaki in another name of Sita. The board wanted the name Janaki to be removed from the title and entire film.
He also said that he spoke to Suresh Gopi and the latter said that though he had also intervened in the matter there was no change in the censor board's stand.
Unnikrishnan said that he had advised the film producer-director to move legally against this serious tendency.
Another film-maker had also come up with a similar allegation. M B Padmakumar alleged that the censor board insisted on changing the name of characters in his Malayalam film 'Token Number'. The censor board insisted on changing the names 'Janaki' and 'Abraham' in the film. He had to make a compromise as he did not get support from any one and subsequently the board issued the certificate this month, he said.
'Janaki v/s State of Kerala' is the first film that Suresh Gopi is acting after taking over as union minister. While he plays the role of an advocate, Anupama Parameswaran is playing the role of 'Janaki'.
Recently Mohanlal starrer 'L2: Empuraan' had undergone 24 post release voluntary cuts in view of strong objections by Sangh Parivar outfits against various references and names of characters in the film that has 2002 Gujarat riots as a pivotal plot point.