
Censors block Union minister's film after objections to 'Janaki' in title
KOCHI: A censorship row has broken out after CBFC blocked the release of Malayalam film 'Janaki V/S State of Kerala', reportedly due to objections over the title character 'Janaki', another name of Goddess Sita.
Starring Union minister
Suresh Gopi
and Anupama Parameswaran, the film was scheduled for release on June 27 but was denied screening clearance at the last minute.
Directed by Pravin Narayanan, the courtroom drama centres around a lead named Janaki. He confirmed the film would not be released as planned.
Film Employees Federation of Kerala general secretary B Unnikrishnan said the organisation would not hesitate to launch a protest against the CBFC's decision. "The story is about the legal fight carried out by an assaulted woman against the state. It is said (by the Board) that Goddess Sita's name cannot be given to the woman character who suffered assault," he said.
(With agency inputs)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Delhi fully prepared to host 2036 Olympic Games, says CM Rekha Gupta
India is prepared to host the 2036 Olympics, says Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, citing PM Modi's commitment to building top-tier sports infrastructure and pursuing an ambitious but achievable national goal Vrinda Goel New Delhi Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday that the national capital and the country are fully prepared to host the 2036 Olympic Games. She expressed hope that the international community would entrust India with the honour, expressing confidence that India could secure the honour of staging the event, reported PTI. CM Gupta made the remarks after jointly flagging off the Olympic Day Run 2025 with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The event, part of the International Olympic Committee's global 'Let's Move' campaign, saw thousands of Delhi residents participating, transforming the capital into a lively celebration of sport, unity, and Olympic values. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha was also present at the event. CM Gupta backs Modi's 2036 Olympics bid Highlighting India's ambitions, CM Gupta said, 'Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the country is steadily advancing in building world-class sports infrastructure and providing better facilities for athletes. Delhi, along with the rest of India, is fully ready to host the 2036 Olympic Games.' Mandaviya expresses commitment on social media Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya echoed the same sentiment on social media. In a post on X, he said he had participated in the Olympic Day Run with CM Rekha Gupta and IOA President PT Usha and highlighted the government's resolve to bring the Olympics to India. 'Every step we take is making this resolve stronger,' he wrote. India's official bid to host 2036 Olympic Games Prime Minister Narendra Modi had formally announced India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games during the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Session held in Mumbai in 2023. Following this, the Indian Olympic Association submitted an official letter of intent to the IOC, signalling the country's serious bid. Delhi govt proposes six Khelo India Centres In a related development, the Delhi government has proposed setting up six Khelo India Centres across the city. According to a report by The Economic Times, the proposal has been submitted to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and is currently under review. If approved, the centres will offer aspiring athletes access to modern training facilities, expert coaching, and professional-grade equipment. The centres, aligned with the national Khelo India scheme, will be developed using existing infrastructure such as schools and community centres. They will focus on five disciplines: athletics, football, volleyball, hockey, and kabaddi.


Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Kerala Crime Files 2 director Ahammed Khabeer: Bahul Ramesh is adamant about…
Kerala Crime Files 2, the latest web series in Malayalam, is receiving positive feedback from viewers. The main reason for the favourable reviews for the sequel to Malayalam's first web series is its compelling story. Its director, Ahammed Khabeer, talked about his collaboration with script writer Bahul Ramesh in an interview with OTTplay. Ahammed Khabeer and Bahul Ramesh Watch Malayalam's best thrillers such as Rekhachithram, Anjaam Pathiraa and more on OTTplay Premium The director, who became popular for directing June and Madhuram, said he had known Bahul for a long time. He claimed that Bahul's love of films is admirable and unlike any of us. Ahammed went on to say that the Kishkinda Kandam-fame screenwriter tries everything in his power to make his films as engaging as possible. "Ashiq Aimar, the writer of the first season, was preoccupied with his marriage at the time we were talking about the sequel," Ahammed stated, adding that Bahul had made it worthwhile when they approached him. "Script is the king at the end of the day and he was adamant about not making any compromise while penning it," the filmmaker said. He continued by stating that their main goal was to produce a project that was both plausible and debated in other languages in addition to Malayalam. KCF 2 garnering rave feedback from viewers In addition to the exceptional performances by the cast, the subplots of this web series are so intricately interwoven that the audiences are left intrigued from the first episode itself. In particular, Harisree Ashokan, Indrans, Sirajudheen Nazar, Arjun Radhakrishnan, Lal and Aju Varghese are receiving recognition for their impressive act in Kerala Crime Files 2, which is streaming on JioHotstar.. The plot centres on a police unit led by SI Noble who looks into the case of CPO Ambili Raju's mysterious disappearance. The case becomes increasingly complicated as the inquiry goes on. The main focus of the web series is the crime's gruesome details and police procedures. Kerala Crime Files 2 is a fantastic choice if you want to watch something gripping this weekend. Also Read: Kerala Crime Files 2 review: Ahammed Khabeer delivers a sequel that is a fitting testament to its genre


New Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
HD Deva Gowda asks PM Modi to help farmers as mango rates crash, weather hurts
BENGALURU: Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, seeking the Centre's intervention in helping Karnataka's mango cultivators, who have suffered a double-whammy of unpredictable prices and bad weather. Karnataka is a major contributor to mango production globally, Gowda pointed out, requesting the Centre to initiate a Price Deficiency Payment and Market Intervention Scheme for immediate fruit procurement in Karnataka through NAFED and NCCF, which will support farmers and alleviate rural distress. 'Further, mango is one of the major horticultural crops of Karnataka, cultivated over an area of 1.39 lakh hectares, particularly in Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chikkaballapura, Kolar, and Ramanagara districts, with an estimated output of 8-10 lakh tonnes during the rabi season. However, due to inclement weather and diseases, the mango yield has dropped to less than 30 per cent this year, according to farmers,' Gowda wrote. 'Prices fell from Rs 12,000 per quintal to Rs 2,000, while the cost of cultivation was Rs 5,466 a quintal. This has financially stressed the farmers, with many small and marginal mango growers unable to cover even basic costs,' he elaborated. He said Andhra Pradesh's ban on Totapuri mangoes from entering Chittoor district, which borders Karnataka, has disrupted the supply chain, risking post-harvest losses for the state's border mango growers, noting: 'This has created tension among the mango growers leading to protests in many districts, especially Kolar and Chikkaballpura.' Gowda also mentioned that the Karnataka Chief Minister and Chief Secretary have asked the AP government to revoke the ban immediately.