The Kerala High Court.
Credit: X/@ANI
Thiruvananthapuram: A single bench of the Kerala High Court will watch union minister Suresh Gopi starrer Malayalam film 'Janaki v/s State of Kerala' (JSK) in view of the objection raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) against the release of the film citing that the name 'Janaki' is another name of goddess Sita and hence in has to be changed.
The film's production team had approached the High Court against CBFC's decision.
Considering the case on Wednesday the single bench of Justice N Nagaresh, decided to watch the film on July 5. The case will be considered again on July 9.
Even as the court earlier asked the CBFC to file a detailed clarification by Wednesday regarding the reasons for objecting the film's release, the CBFC sought more time. The court had earlier rejected CBFC's contentions that the name 'Janaki' for the title character who suffers sexual assaults could hurt religious sentiments.
The court also pointed out that there were many films in which names of gods were used and 80 percent of Indian names could have some or other religious connotations.
The CBFC's decision had triggered strong protest from the film fraternity in Kerala. Many known film personalities were among those who took part in a demonstration at the CBFC regional office in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
Actor turned politician and union minister of state for tourism and petroleum Suresh Gopi, who plays the role of lawyer of the assault survivor, is yet to react on the row.