In a rare move, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday said it would first watch the Suresh Gopi starrer film Janaki Vs State of Kerala before proceeding with a petition challenging the delay in its certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Justice N. Nagaresh, who is hearing the case, observed, “It is appropriate to view the movie before passing an order,” and directed the producers to arrange a special screening of the film on Saturday, July 5, at 10 a.m. The screening will be held at Lal Media in Palarivattom, Kochi.
The court scheduled the next hearing for July 9.
The order was passed on a petition filed by Cosmos Entertainments, the production company behind the film, which alleged an unreasonable delay by the CBFC in issuing a certificate necessary for public release.
During the hearing, CBFC officials sought more time to file a reply affidavit. However, the court refused to grant an extended timeline, stating that such delays could not be allowed to go unchecked.
Last week, the court had asked the CBFC to submit the written decision of its revising committee, which had yet to formally explain its stance on the film. According to sources, the revising committee had verbally directed the filmmakers to change the name of the central character, Janaki, reportedly because it is another name for Goddess Sita.
The court questioned this position, asking the Board, “What is wrong with the name Janaki?”
