The Kerala High Court on Friday asked questions from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in the Malayalam film ‘JSK -Janaki vs State of Kerala’ in the matter of objecting to the use of the name ‘Janaki’. The film stars Union Minister and BJP leader Suresh Gopi and actress Anupama Parameswaran. While hearing a petition filed by the film’s production house ‘Cosmos Entertainment’ regarding delay in certification, Justice N. Nagresh said that Indian cinema has a history of using mythological names without any controversy.
Justice Nagaresh asked Deputy Solicitor General (DSGI) representing CBFC, ‘We have a film named Sita and Geeta here. Sita is called Janaki. Nothing happened on this film, there was no problem. No one has any complaint on this. We have a film named Ram Lakhan here. No one has any complaint on this. Then how can there be a complaint about Janaki Versus State of Kerala film? ‘ This remark of the High Court came after CBFC issued a show cause notice to the filmmakers, in which he was instructed to remove the name ‘Janaki’ from the title and dialogues of the film.
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CBFC argued that the name ‘Janaki’ associated with Goddess Sita in such a content film may be violated by guidelines 2 (XI) under Section 5B (2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which restrictions or words of racial, religious or other groups. The film with sexual violence and adult content was scheduled to release on June 27, but its release was stopped due to delay in getting certification from CBFC. However, the court questioned the argument behind this objection and said that the CBFC screening committee had already approved the film, but the chairman sent it to the Revising Committee, which raised the issue related to the name.
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The lawyer of the production house ‘Cosmos Entertainment’ argued that according to the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, the Revising Committee cannot issue a show-caste notice. Its role is limited to suggesting cuts in films and giving certification. The judge directed that the show cause notice should be presented before the court on June 30 and asked the filmmakers that they are free to respond to the notice or file an appeal. The production house said that it had sent the film to CBFC for certification on 12 June and its screening was completed on 18 June. The production company claims that the delay in the certification of their film ‘JSK -Janaki vs State of Kerala’ and a sudden objection to its name is causing financial loss and Article 19 (1) (a) (freedom of expression) and 19 (1) (G) (right to adopt any profession) is violating.