CBFC finally certifies Janaki V vs State of Kerala after legal battle; new release date announced with tweaked title

After weeks of controversy over the film's title, the makers of Suresh Gopi's Janaki V vs State of Kerala have finally announced the movie's new release date.

After weeks of controversy over the film's title, the makers of Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran's Janaki V vs State of Kerala, previously named Janaki vs State of Kerala, have finally announced the movie's new release date. It was earlier stated to release on 20 June.

Anupama Parameswaran and Suresh Gopi in a still from JSK - Janaki vs State of Kerala.

CBFC finally certifies Janaki V vs State of Kerala

Granted with a U/A 16 after the tough legal battle around the film's title, actor Suresh Gopi took to his Instagram handle to share the much-awaited release date of the film. The movie is now set to release worldwide on 17 July.

While sharing the new release date, the makers wrote in a joint post, "Behind every delay... have a truth worth fighting for." and in the end that truth shall always prevail !!! JANAKAI V v/s STATE OF KERALA. U/A 16 CERTIFICATION WORLDWIDE RELEASE ON JULY 17TH."

The controversy behind the title

The release of the Malayalam movie Janaki vs State of Kerala, starring Union Minister and superstar Suresh Gopi, was stalled following a demand from the Censor Board for a film title change. According to the film's makers, the censor board asked them to change the name Janaki, saying it also refers to the Hindu goddess Sita.

The movie tells the story of a woman who faced assault and took legal fight against the state. The board reportedly said that God's name should not be given to a woman who was assaulted. The film's release was scheduled for 20 June.

The regional office of CBFC in Thiruvananthapuram had cleared the film with a U/A certificate. The film was later forwarded to the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai, where officials demanded a change in the title. If the film's title is changed, many dialogues in the film mentioning the name will also need to be changed, as per the makers of the film.

In response, the makers of JSK vs State of Kerala moved the Kerala High Court to challenge the change. Apart from that, the artists from Malayalam cinema and serial fraternity under the umbrella of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Actors), Producers Association and FEFKA ( Film Employees Federation of Kerala) staged a protest infront of the regional office of Central Bureau of Film Certification at Chitranjali Studio complex, Thiruvallam in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.