Anupama Parameswaran’s Janaki V V/s State of Kerala Hits the Theater, but Telugu Release Skipped
After battling censorship hurdles for weeks, Anupama Parameswaran’s controversial Malayalam film Janaki V V/s State of Kerala (JSK) finally hit theaters today, July 17, 2025. However, despite earlier announcements, the film has skipped its Telugu release, with no official explanation from the makers.
CBFC Controversy and Legal Battle
JSK was caught in a long legal struggle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which objected to the title and the character name “Janaki,” citing religious sensitivity due to its association with Goddess Sita. The board initially demanded a title change and edits, which the makers strongly opposed.
The filmmakers took legal recourse, and in a major win for creative freedom, the film was eventually cleared with a U/A 13+ certificate without any name changes.
Telugu Version Mysteriously Dropped
While the film was originally expected to release in Malayalam, Hindi, and Telugu, the team has now limited its theatrical rollout to only Malayalam and Hindi. There’s no word yet on whether the Telugu version will release later in cinemas or directly premiere on OTT platforms.
Cast, Crew & Music
Directed by J. Phanindra Kumar and produced by Cosmos Entertainments, the film features a strong ensemble cast including Suresh Gopi, Shruthi Ramachandran, Divya Pillai, and Madhav Suresh. The music is composed by Ghibran and Gireesh Narayanan, adding emotional depth to this intense courtroom and social drama.
While Janaki V/s State of Kerala opens to mixed anticipation in Kerala and select Hindi markets, Telugu fans will have to wait a bit longer for clarity on its release in their region.
