Thu Jul 17 11:52:44 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the review of the Malayalam film “Janaki V Vs State of Kerala,” incorporating details from the provided text:

**The Hindu Review: ‘Janaki V Vs State of Kerala’ Loses Its Case With Sensationalism and Irrelevance**

**July 17, 2025** – The courtroom drama “Janaki V Vs State of Kerala,” starring Suresh Gopi as advocate David Abel Donovan and Anupama Parameswaran as Janaki, has been panned by critics for its insensitive portrayal of sexual assault and its descent into irrelevant political grandstanding. A review published in *The Hindu* today criticizes debutant director Praveen Narayanan’s film for failing to strike a balance between telling a sensitive story and showcasing the lead actor’s “superhero aura.”

The film centers on Janaki, an IT professional who is raped while on vacation in her hometown. The ensuing courtroom scenes are meant to scrutinize the events, but according to *The Hindu*, the movie abandons subtlety, relying on “loud visual and audio cues.”

A key criticism is the script’s reliance on irrelevant, politically charged arguments delivered by Donovan, reminiscent of a “loud television debate” rather than a legal proceeding. The review specifically cites an example where Donovan questions the rape victim about her pornography consumption. The reviewer notes the opening credits hint at this behavior, displaying news clippings highlighting Donovan’s extra-judicial pronouncements on a variety of issues.

The reviewer further slams the film’s writing for being reminiscent of the 1990s, featuring thinly veiled references to contemporary issues. However, the movie’s original ideas are criticized, especially concerning the paternity of a child born from rape, branding it “one of the most outlandish ideas heard in cinema in recent years.”

The review concludes that “Janaki V Vs State of Kerala” trivializes a serious issue and fails to make an impact as a courtroom drama, calling it “as pointless as the letter ‘V’, which was added to Janaki’s name to satisfy the whims of the censors.” The inclusion of an unnecessary jump scare sequence further detracts from the narrative, making this film a miss for those seeking a thoughtful exploration of justice and trauma. The film is currently running in theatres.

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