Kerala High Court Judge To Watch Movie 'Janaki v State Of Kerala' Before Hearing Plea Challenging CBFC's Objection To Movie's Title
The High Court directed the Producers of the movie to hold a screening in Ernakulam for the Judge and Counsel involved in the matter to watch.
The Kerala High Court today directed the producers of the movie "Janaki v State Of Kerala", to arrange a screening of the movie for the Judge, while hearing their plea challenging Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) objection to the title of the movie for use of the name "Janaki", which is another name of the goddess "Sita".
The Bench of Justice N. Nagaresh directed the producers to arrange a screening on Saturday, after the producers conveyed their inability to display the movie inside the courtroom.
Earlier, the High Court had castigated the CBFC for its stand. The Court had, prior to that, directed the CBFC to produce the show cause notice issued by it to the producers, while questioning the CBFC for its objection against the title.
The Producers of the movie, Cosmos Entertainments, had approached the High Court, filing a Writ Petition, being aggrieved by the delay in granting it certification for the release of the movie.
Today, Advocate Abhinav Chandradhud appeared for the CBFC and submitted that a fresh petition was filed by the Producers yesterday, making allegations against CBFC with respect to other films which were earlier certified by them. He submitted that he would need time to address the Court on the said Writ Petition.
Advocate Haris Beeran, appearing for the Producers, opposed the plea for adjournment. "This is a way of delaying. Every day's delay is hurting me", he submitted. The Court said that it would adjourn the new Writ Petition, but is ready to hear the first petition today.
Chandrachud submitted that the order of the revising committee has been challenged in the new petition and that if the 1st petition is heard today, the new one would become infructuous.
"I intend to watch this movie before proceeding. I will watch it this Saturday in the Court", the Court said.
The Counsel for the producers submitted that the movie cannot be displayed in the Courtroom due to technical issues. The Producers then offered to arrange a screening in a private studio in Ernakulam.
The Court then ordered, "Considering the allegations raised by the Petitioner, I am of the view that it will only be appropriate to view the movie before passing any final order. The petitioner is directed to arrange a viewing of the movie in an appropriate studio".
Chandrachud then submitted that he also wants to watch the movie in Mumbai and that he needs permission from the producers to watch the movie in the office of the CBFC. When the Producers expressed unwillingness to the same, the Court said that a counsel for the CBFC may watch the movie while it is screened in Ernakulam.
Accordingly, the matter was adjourned to next Wednesday.
Cause Title: M/s. Cosmos Entertainments v. The Regional Officer (WP(C) 23326/ 2025)