CBFC limits Janaki cuts to 2, filmmakers agree

CBFC LIMITS CUTS IN THE FILM TO A TITLE CHANGE TO “JANAKI V V/S STATE OF KERALA’ AND THAT THE NAME JANAKI BE MUTED IN TWO SCENES IN THE FILM

- Vishnu Varma

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on ‘Wednesday said it was willing to revise its earlier demand for 96 cuts in the Malayalam film “JSK: Janaki v/s State of Kerala” to just two cuts, which the producers of the film agreed to, marking the end of a three-week legal tussle.

The Malayalam film, starring Union minister of state and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameshwaran in the lead roles, tells the story of a rape survivor fighting for justice.

CBFC objected to the name “Janaki” in the title of the film as well as the protagonist's name, claiming it refers to the Hindu goddess and that its usage in a film about sexual violence would offend religious sentiments.

During the hearing in the Kerala high court, CBFC counsel said that it was ready to grant the producers a censor certificate if they made two changes.

The first, that he film’s title be changed to “Janaki V v/s state of Kerala” indicating the character’s initials. The second, that the name Janaki be muted in two scenes in the film.