JSK title row: Film fraternity launches protest, HC questions CBFC decision
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.Raising their voice against the attack on freedom of expression, film organisations in Kerala came together on Monday, June 30 to fight the decision of the Central Board of Film Certification, which denied approval for a Malayalam film that had on its title the name of a Hindu mythical character venerated as goddess. The film in question – Janaki Vs State of Kerala – was earlier unofficially denied a certificate on the grounds that the title character Janaki (another name for Sita, wife of Lord Ram), is a survivor of abuse. The makers have been asked to change the name in the title and for the character. Interestingly, Suresh Gopi, an actor who became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party ruling the country and is now an Union Minister of State, plays the male lead in the film.The name Janaki lands two Malayalam films in trouble with CBFC The representatives of the varied groups of artistes and technicians assembled at the CBFC’s office in Thiruvananthapuram at Chitranjali Studio Complex and observed a day-long protest. On the same day, the Kerala High Court asked the CBFC to explain what they found wrong with naming the character Janaki, especially when she is seen as fighting for justice. A report by the Live Law said that the Deputy Solicitor General of India, appearing for CBFC, submitted that the film title violates Guidelines 2(xii) and 6 of the Guidelines issued by the Central Government pursuant to Section 5B(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. As per Section 5B (2) the Union government can issue directions as it may think fit setting out the principles which shall guide the authority competent to grant certificates for public exhibition. Film organisations including the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) and Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) were part of the protest. “There was a certain arbitrariness about the CBFC’s decision, citing the clause that the film should not incite any communal disharmony. How does this title do that? The guidelines given [for film certification] are broad and generalised. The responsibility of interpreting it sensibly and aesthetically rests with the CBFC committee. It should be composed of sensitive people who know and understand cinema. We are always at the mercy of the committee,” said B Unnikrishnan, filmmaker, producer and general secretary of FEFKA to TNM. Representatives of the major political parties in Kerala, barring the BJP, attended the protest to express solidarity. Actor Ansiba, a former office bearer of AMMA, who attended the protest event said that the film’s title referred to the state of Kerala, where secularism is a norm, where films like Narayam (promoting secularism) were made. “Whichever religious book you take, you will find good values such as truth and love in it. Communalism is not there in religion but in the minds of certain people. Making a film is hard work, it takes years of a filmmaker, and the hard earned money of a producer. Asking to change the name of a film so close to release is nothing short of cruelty,” she said. Producer M Renjith of KFPA said that neither the Cinematograph Act of 1952 nor any of its amendments made in later years specify in its guidelines that the name Janaki should not be allowed for a film. Next, they may want directors B Unnikrishnan or Shaji Kailas to leave behind their last names in the credits of a film, since those are references to gods, he remarked. The producer of JSK – Cosmos Entertainment – moved the court last week, after which the court has twice questioned the CBFC on their reasoning for denying certification. The court noted that most names in India, whichever religion they belong to, are attributed to god. The CBFC "cannot dictate the directors and artists which name should be given or which story should be told. That is the freedom of the artist. You cannot interfere in that. It is not absolute but you do not have a convincing reason to say how this name Janaki will be contemptuous to racial, religious or other groups," the court said on Monday. Unnikrishnan said film organisations are initiating efforts to unite with similar groups across states to foster a sense of national solidarity.
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
RAISING their voice against the attack on freedom of expression, film organisations in Kerala came together on Monday, June 30 to fight the decision of the Central Board of Film Certification, which denied approval for a Malayalam film that had on its title the name of a Hindu mythical character venerated as a goddess.
The film in question – Janaki Vs State of Kerala – was earlier unofficially denied a certificate because the title character Janaki (another name for Sita, wife of Lord Ram), is a survivor of abuse. The makers have been asked to change the name in the title and for the character. Interestingly, Suresh Gopi, an actor who became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party ruling the country and is now a Union Minister of State, plays the male lead in the film.
The representatives of the varied groups of artistes and technicians assembled at the CBFC’s office in Thiruvananthapuram at Chitranjali Studio Complex and observed a day-long protest. On the same day, the Kerala High Court asked the CBFC to explain what they found wrong with naming the character Janaki, especially when she is seen as fighting for justice.
A report by Live Law said that the Deputy Solicitor General of India, appearing for CBFC, submitted that the film title violates Guidelines 2(xii) and 6 of the Guidelines issued by the Central Government pursuant to Section 5B(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. As per Section 5B (2), the Union government can issue directions as it may think fit, setting out the principles which shall guide the authority competent to grant certificates for public exhibition.
Film organisations, including the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) and Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) were part of the protest.
“There was a certain arbitrariness about the CBFC’s decision, citing the clause that the film should not incite any communal disharmony. How does this title do that? The guidelines given [for film certification] are broad and generalised.
The responsibility of interpreting it sensibly and aesthetically rests with the CBFC committee. It should be composed of sensitive people who know and understand cinema. We are always at the mercy of the committee,” said B Unnikrishnan, filmmaker, producer and general secretary of FEFKA to TNM.
Representatives of the major political parties in Kerala, barring the BJP, attended the protest to express solidarity.
Actor Ansiba, a former office bearer of AMMA, who attended the protest event said that the film’s title referred to the state of Kerala, where secularism is a norm, where films like Narayam (promoting secularism) were made.
“Whichever religious book you take, you will find good values such as truth and love in it. Communalism is not there in religion but in the minds of certain people. Making a film is hard work; it takes years of a filmmaker and the hard-earned money of a producer. Asking to change the name of a film so close to release is nothing short of cruelty,” she said.
Producer M Renjith of KFPA said that neither the Cinematograph Act of 1952 nor any of its amendments made in later years specify in its guidelines that the name Janaki should not be allowed for a film. Next, they may want directors B Unnikrishnan or Shaji Kailas to leave behind their last names in the credits of a film, since those are references to gods, he remarked.
The producer of JSK – Cosmos Entertainment – moved the court last week, after which the court has twice questioned the CBFC on their reasoning for denying certification. The court noted that most names in India, whichever religion they belong to, are attributed to god.
The CBFC "cannot dictate to the directors and artists which name should be given or which story should be told. That is the freedom of the artist. You cannot interfere with that. It is not absolute, but you do not have a convincing reason to say how this name Janaki will be contemptuous to racial, religious or other groups," the court said on Monday.
Unnikrishnan said film organisations are initiating efforts to unite with similar groups across states to foster a sense of national solidarity.
