The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is under fire from several film industry figures following its objection to the name of a character in the Malayalam film Janaki vs State of Kerala. The board reportedly asked the filmmakers to change the name “Janaki”, citing that it is another name for Goddess Sita, prompting criticism over creative restrictions.
Bollywood actress Shreya Dhanwanthary and Tollywood filmmaker Tharun Bhascker were among the first to question the CBFC’s stance, calling it an overreach and a threat to artistic freedom. The directive has reignited debates around censorship and the limits of creative expression in Indian cinema.
Filmmaker-actor Anurag Kashyap also weighed in on the controversy, calling the objection “absurd.” Speaking on the issue, he remarked, “Are we now supposed to avoid all mythological names in storytelling? Should characters be named XYZ or 123 instead?” He added that such restrictions undermine the natural evolution of film narratives.
Kashyap further criticised the functioning of the CBFC, alleging that some officials based in Maharashtra lack adequate understanding of Hindi, which leads to frequent misinterpretations. He called for a serious conversation on the board’s role and the need to safeguard creative liberties in the film industry.
