JSK-Janaki vs State of Kerala Review: Are you looking for a courtroom drama this Independence Weekend? If yes, “JSK – Janaki vs the State of Kerala‘ can be your partner. However, the Malayalam film has some notable flaws that cannot be neglected. JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala, pre-release, faced huge controversy for the use of the name Janaki (considered sensitive due to its association with the Hindu goddess Sita) for the lead character, which escalated huge hype among the viewers. However, it struggles to find this balance. Today, through this write-up, we will know in detail about JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala, and we will discuss whether to watch this film or not.
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- Director & Writer: Pravin Narayanan
- Theatrical release date: 17 July 2025
- Premiering on: Zee5
- OTT release date: 14th August 2025
- Premiering Languages: Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi
- Baap of Movies Rating: 3/5
JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala Cast
| Cast (in credits order) | |
| Suresh Gopi | Adv. David Abel Donovan |
| Anupama Parameswaran | Janaki Vidhyadaran |
| Divya Pillai | Saira Fathima |
| Shruti Ramachandran | Adv. Niveditha Able |
| Askar Ali | Firoz Mohammed |
| Madhav Suresh | Naveen |
| Baiju Santhosh | S I Kanakaraj (as Baiju) |
| Shobhi Thilakan | C I Gopakumar |
| Nisthar Sait | MLA Antony |
| Jayan Cherthala | Public Prosecutor 1 |
| Kottayam Ramesh | Public Prosecutor 2 |
| Renjith Menon | Venkat |
| Abhishek Raveendran | Vishnu Kurup |
| Vaishnavi Raj | Lakshmi |
| Medha Pallavi | Rakshita Shetty |
| Yadhu Krishna | C. I Mathayoos Baby |
| Prasanth Madhavan | Constable Joy Cheriyan |
| Jose Shonadhri | S.I Samuel John |
| Ratheesh Krishnan | Tony (as Rathesh Krishnan) |
| Producers | |
| Humaun Ali Ahamed | Executive Producer |
| Sethuraman Kankol | Co-Producer |
| Kiran | Producer |
| Sajith Krishna | Executive Producer |
| J. Phanindra Kumar | Producer |
| Kiran Raj | Executive Producer |
JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala Plot: A Sensitive Story Told Insensitively
The movie, directed by debutant Praveen Narayanan, follows Janaki (Anupama Parameswaran). Janaki is an IT professional from Bengaluru who returns to her hometown for a vacation. In an unfortunate event, she became a victim of rape. The legal battle that follows is expected to uncover truths and deliver justice. However, this courtroom becomes a stage for irrelevant political speeches.
Advocate David Abel Donovan (Suresh Gopi), who is known for his fiery persona, has delivered one of his best works. However, many of them wander far from the case and aren’t able to answer the right questions. This insensitivity dilutes the seriousness of the core issue.
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JSK-Janaki vs State of Kerala Review: Where the Courtroom Drama Falls Flat
The film’s tone is loud from the start, and it has over-the-top visual and audio cues, leaving no space for subtlety. The script leans heavily on 1990s-style melodrama. However, instead of building tension through compelling legal exchanges. It drags the audience through predictable and exaggerated scenes.
The narrative choices are controversial, as they involve the paternity of a child born from rape, which is an idea that borders on the absurd. It could have been handled with empathy, but the film uses it as a political weapon, which decreases the gravity of the situation.
Performances and Direction
Suresh Gopi’s portrayal of Adv. David Abel Donovan is a class act. It often feels like an extension of his real-life public image rather than a distinct character. Anupama Parameswaran delivers a sincere performance as Janaki. The supporting cast, in the form of Madhav Suresh, Askar Ali, Shruti Ramachandran, and Divya Pillai, is competent but overshadowed by the screenplay’s misdirection.
Director Praveen Narayanan’s dual role as writer and filmmaker doesn’t quite pay off. His attempt to blend a sensitive social issue with the ‘heroic lawyer’ doesn’t end up really well.
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Technical Aspects
At 156 minutes, the film might feel overstretched, and you might feel hooked on it. The pacing suffers due to unnecessary song sequences, and the show tries to give it a horror angle. The cinematography and production design are serviceable. The background score tries to add intensity but often ends up amplifying the melodrama.
Where to watch JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala?
JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala is now available to watch on Zee5. Hence, on Independence Day, pay for the Zee5 subscriptions and get ready to get on the courtroom ride.
JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala Trailer
JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala Trailer gives a hint of what is on the table with this Malayalam thriller. However, with the proper execution, it could have been much better. You must watch the JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala thriller before grabbing your popcorn for the show.
Baap of Movies Final Verdict
JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala is a good one-time watch if you are looking for a gripping legal drama tackling an urgent societal issue. However, at times, the show becomes an inconsistent mix of political grandstanding and outdated filmmaking. All in all, you can give JSK – Janaki vs State of Kerala a try if you want to see a courtroom massacre this Independence Day. It’s a hit and miss, but it’s a good time to watch this Independence Day.
Note
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