India’s leading OTT platform ZEE5 is presenting a story of a woman who dares to question the establishment and give voice to the voiceless on the occasion of Independence Day. “Janaki V/S State of Kerala” is a compelling Malayalam film that will be released exclusively on August 15. The film is written and directed by Praveen Narayanan and produced by J Panindra Kumar. Sethuraman Nair Kankol has served as the co-producer. Suresh Gopi plays the role of morally committed lawyer David Abel Donovan and Anupama Parameswaran plays the role of Janaki. The film tells the emotional and legal journey of a young woman who fights to regain her freedom after surviving a brutal sexual assault. Starring Divya Pillai, Sruthi Ramachandran, Asghar Ali, Madhav Suresh Gopi and Baiju Santhosh, the film explores the shortcomings of the law, moral ambiguity and the political underpinnings that often shape justice in real life. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, Janaki V/S State of Kerala tells a bold, heart-wrenching story that provokes debate and touches hearts.
Set against the backdrop of the Kerala judiciary, the story follows Bengaluru-based IT professional Janaki Vidyadharan (Anupama Parameswaran) as her festive trip to her hometown turns into a nightmare after she is sexually assaulted. Determined to seek justice, she becomes embroiled in a complex legal battle when sharp and calm lawyer David Abel Donovan (Suresh Gopi) steps in to defend the accused. Janaki’s struggle, caught between legal arguments and the lives of the victims, exposes the deep moral and ethical dilemmas of the Indian judicial system. In a world where the law is supposed to protect, the lines between right and wrong blur, leaving one question unanswered. What really happened to Janaki, and what justice really is? is the focus of the film.
Lloyd C Xavier, Head of Tamil and Malayalam Business and Senior Vice President, South Marketing, ZEE5 said…,
“We are proud to present Janaki V/S State of Kerala to our viewers on this Independence Day. The film stands out not only for its powerful theme but also for the honesty with which it was made. It was a wonderful experience to work with a passionate filmmaker like Pravin Narayanan and a star cast led by Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran. This is a sensationally crafted courtroom drama that is not only entertaining – it is thought-provoking, challenges norms and reflects realities that many are reluctant to face. We are very excited that this story, rooted in Kerala, will now speak to the entire nation. By releasing in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, we are ensuring that every viewer, be it Kochi, Kolkata or Kanpur, can access and experience Janaki’s fight for justice. A powerful ZEE5 believes that stories can transcend boundaries and unite people, and Janaki V/S State of Kerala is one such film.”
Producer J. Panindra Kumar said…,
“Producing Janaki V/S State of Kerala was one of the most meaningful experiences of my film career. This story is not just about a legal battle – it is about truth, courage and the quiet strength of a woman fighting against crime. Our partnership with ZEE5 has brought this powerful story to audiences across India in their own languages. It is not just entertaining, it is a film that will make you think, and I truly believe it will have a lasting impact.”
Co-Producer Sethuraman Nair Kankol added… ,
“From the beginning, we knew that Janaki V/S State of Kerala was a story that was honest, compassionate and definitely needed to be told. Working with an incredible creative team and now partnering with ZEE5 has been incredibly rewarding. What makes this release special is that audiences from every corner of India, from North to South, can now watch Janaki’s journey, in their own language. This film has a message that transcends borders, and we are proud to be a part of bringing it to light.”
Writer and director Praveen Narayanan says,
“From the first draft to the final shoot, Janaki V/S State of Kerala is a labor of love, driven by a vision to amplify the voice of a survivor and shine light into the cracks in our system. Working with an amazing team, Suresh Gopi, Anupama Parameswaran, Sruthi Ramachandran and others, brought the story to life in the way I had hoped. Our collaboration with ZEE5 brings this story, a reflection of courage, honesty and resilience, to the audience at their fingertips now. This is an opportunity that brings immense joy to every filmmaker. I am eager for audiences everywhere to watch it this Independence Day and feel the pulse of the film as strongly as we did during its making.”
Actor Suresh Gopi said,
“The reception Janaki V/S State of Kerala has received in theatres has been overwhelmingly emotional and it is clear that the audience has embraced this story with love. I am extremely grateful for the faith they have placed in our storytelling and am now excited to see it being experienced by the entire world on ZEE5. With the digital release, Janaki’s voice, her struggle, her pain and her courage will finally reach homes across India. “The character of David Abel Donovan was born out of the need to express honesty and moral dilemma in today’s world. Fighting for justice in court on behalf of a survivor was a role that challenged me, but it grounded me. I hope the audience feels connected to its soul when the film airs, and I hope they hear Janaki’s voice too.
Actress Anupama Parameswaran says,
“Portraying the character of Janaki has been one of the most emotional journeys of my film career. She is an icon of countless unheard voices, and I felt a huge responsibility to bring her story to life with honesty and empathy. The love and support we received during the theatrical release was overwhelming, and now, I am incredibly happy that audiences across the country will be able to watch Janaki V/S State of Kerala on ZEE5. It is a story that speaks to the soul – a story about strength, resilience and the need to stand up even when the world tries to silence you. I hope Janaki’s courage inspires everyone who watches.”
Don’t miss the digital premiere of Janaki V/S State of Kerala, streaming exclusively on ZEE5 this Independence Day, August 15.
