Janaki V vs State of Kerala review: Strong acting, uneven focus

Janaki V vs State of Kerala follows a school teacher’s fight for justice against political power. Strong acting and a few impactful scenes stand out, though the focus shifts from the main issue. Now streaming on Zee5 in five languages

Plot

Janaki V (Anupama Parameswaran) is an IT professional, whose life turns upside down when becomes the victim of sexual harassments. What begins as a fight for justice quickly turns into a political and media storm, with the system turning against her. The case draws in the state’s Advocate General (Suresh Gopi), whose entry changes the course of events and puts Janaki’s resilience to the ultimate test.

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How is the film

The movie starts well and touches on an important topic, but soon shifts focus from Janaki’s struggle to giving big hero moments. Some scenes are engaging, but the story feels uneven and a bit predictable.

Cast

Anupama Parameswaran delivers a heartfelt performance, bringing dignity and strength to Janaki. Suresh Gopi has a powerful presence, though his role sometimes takes the spotlight away from the main story. Supporting actors, including Shruthi Ramachandran, Divya Pillai, Biju Sopanam, and Madhav Suresh, make an impact in their brief roles.

Direction

Pravin Narayanan chooses a strong subject but spends more time on hero build-up than on Janaki’s side of the story. The middle portions feel slow, and some courtroom scenes appear too dramatic to feel real.

Verdict

Janaki V vs State of Kerala has good performances and a few strong moments, but it does not fully stay with the main issue. Worth watching if you enjoy courtroom or political dramas.

Where to watch

Now streaming on Zee5 in Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, and Tamil.