To settle whether ‘Janaki’ should stay in Suresh Gopi film title or not, a special screening for Kerala High Court
Kochi, July 2, 2025 – The Kerala High Court will watch a special screening of a new Suresh Gopi film to decide if the name ‘Janaki’ should remain in the title. This decision follows a petition claiming the title could mislead the public and hurt individual sentiments.
The court will review the film to assess whether the use of ‘Janaki’ is defamatory or culturally insensitive.
Why the Film Title Sparked a Legal Case
The film, titled “Janaki vs State of Kerala,” stars veteran actor and Union Minister Suresh Gopi. The dispute began when a petitioner, reportedly a woman named Janaki, objected to the title. She argued that it paints the name Janaki in a negative light, especially since the character fights the state in the story.
She fears people may believe the film refers to her or someone she knows. The petition also claimed that the title could wrongly suggest a real legal conflict involving a woman named Janaki.
Court Decides to Watch the Movie Firsthand
To resolve the issue, the Kerala High Court decided to watch the film before making a judgment. The court aims to determine whether the title harms reputations or misleads viewers.
During an earlier hearing, the judges asked if the character was based on a real person. The filmmakers replied that Janaki is a fictional character with no real-life inspiration. Still, the court chose to verify that claim directly.
Why This Approach Is Rare
Indian courts rarely screen entire films as part of legal proceedings. Normally, disputes rely on written complaints, certified scripts, or CBFC reports. But in this case, the court felt it necessary to see the full film to judge the intent behind the title.
Filmmakers Defend Creative Choices
Director Arun Varma and the producers have defended the title. They said the story revolves around a fictional woman’s legal battle. The name Janaki was selected for its literary and cultural tone, not to attack anyone personally.
“We chose the name for storytelling purposes,” said a spokesperson from the production team. “The film shows a woman’s fight for justice, not a real-life conflict.”
They also emphasized that removing the name would compromise artistic freedom. The team believes the court will recognize their creative rights.
Suresh Gopi Maintains Silence
So far, Suresh Gopi has not made a public statement about the controversy. But sources close to him said he is watching the case closely. As both a politician and actor, he often finds his work under close scrutiny.
Supporters of the actor believe censoring the title may threaten creative freedom. Many say fictional films should not be judged as if they reflect real people or cases.
What Legal Experts Think
Legal experts see the case as a clash between two constitutional rights. One is the freedom of speech and expression, and the other is the right to personal dignity and reputation.
Senior advocate R. Harikrishnan explained: “Courts must weigh both rights carefully. Unless the title clearly refers to a real person or was meant to cause harm, the court usually supports creative freedom.”
Other Films Faced Similar Issues
This case is not the first of its kind. In 2017, protests forced the makers of “Padmavati” to rename the film to “Padmaavat.” Similarly, films like “Jolly LLB 2” and “Gangubai Kathiawadi” faced legal hurdles over their titles.
The High Court’s final ruling may set a standard for future cases where fictional characters share names with real people.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The public has responded with mixed opinions. Some people support the court’s careful approach. They believe film titles can shape public perception and need accountability.
Others argue the reaction is exaggerated. “It’s just a name,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Every name has been used in fiction at some point.”
Some fans of Suresh Gopi called the objection an attempt to gain attention before the film’s release. They believe fictional storytelling should not face this level of restriction.
What’s Next?
The court will likely screen the film in a private session soon. After watching it, the judges will decide if the title “Janaki vs State of Kerala” can stay unchanged.
If the court finds no link to real people or offensive content, the film may release as planned. Otherwise, the filmmakers could be asked to change the title or issue a disclaimer.
The Bigger Picture
This case highlights the tension between artistic freedom and personal sensitivity. It also shows how names, even in fiction, carry emotional weight for many people.
Filmmakers across India are watching this case closely. The verdict could influence how creators approach naming fictional characters in future projects.
