Veteran Malayalam actor and Union Minister of State for Tourism, Suresh Gopi, is facing a major hurdle with his upcoming courtroom drama Janaki Vs State of Kerala. Despite receiving clearance from the regional censor board, the film has run into trouble with the CBFC’s Mumbai head office, putting its June 27 release in doubt.

What’s the Issue?

In the film, Suresh Gopi plays a lawyer, while actress Anupama Parameswaran portrays Janaki, a young woman who files a legal case after surviving sexual harassment. The story follows her emotional and legal battle for justice.

However, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has raised objections over the use of the name Janaki for a sexual assault survivor. According to sources, officials from the Mumbai head office felt that Janaki—a name traditionally associated with Goddess Sita from the Ramayana—is inappropriate for a character who goes through such trauma.

Cleared in Kerala, Blocked in Mumbai

The film had successfully completed its censor process on May 22 at the Thiruvananthapuram regional office, receiving a U/A certificate. But the very next day, the makers were contacted by the CBFC’s Mumbai office with a request to change the film’s title and the character’s name.

Surprisingly, the request didn’t come through official documentation but through WhatsApp calls, leaving the makers confused and frustrated.

Director Padmakumar Speaks Out

Director MB Padmakumar did not mince words while reacting to the situation. “The character is named Janaki Abraham. The Kerala board had no objection, and we got the certificate. But since this is a feature film, it went to the Mumbai office too. Suddenly, we get calls asking us to change the name. It seems there’s an issue with the name ‘Janaki’ being linked to a sexual assault victim,” he said.

He further added, “I don’t think the central government is even aware of this. If we’ve already cleared regional certification, why this last-minute interference?”

What’s Next?

The film was all set to release on June 27, but with the CBFC Mumbai’s objection, the team is now unsure about the next steps. As of now, Suresh Gopi has not commented on the controversy.

This situation has once again sparked a larger debate about freedom of expression, creative choices in cinema, and the growing influence of religious sensitivities in storytelling. Whether Janaki Vs State of Kerala will hit screens on its planned date—or with changes—remains to be seen.