Supreme Court clears Mahaprabhu Jagannath release after Rath Yatra

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath, rejecting pleas by the Odisha government and the Puri Jagannath temple administration to stop its screening. The court also expressed displeasure at the petitions opposing the film, making it clear that its concern was not with the film itself but with attempts to block it.A Bench of Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan said animation was a new form of audio-visual art that could help children understand subjects better, and that art and creativity could not be stifled through such petitions. The court said the film, which has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification, should not be stopped, and it can be released across the country on or after July 28.During the hearing, the Odisha government and the temple administration argued that portraying Lord Jagannath in cartoon form could hurt the religious sentiments of devotees and lead to law and order problems. The Bench responded that faith was a personal matter and asked whether an animated film could really reduce anyone's devotion. It observed, 'Your devotion is your own. If you don't like it, you ignore it. The release of the film will not affect your devotion to your God.' The court also asked, 'We want to know that with an animated film will the devotion come down?'The Bench said that once the CBFC had granted certification to the film, there was little basis for petitions seeking to block its release. It noted that the postponement ordered earlier was only to ensure that the Jagannath Rath Yatra concluded peacefully. Justice Nagarathna said, 'It is an issue of public order. Rituals are coming to an end on the 27th. You release it after that.' When told that Rath Yatra celebrations are held in other parts of the country as well, she remarked that the film could be released any day after July 27.The film's makers had approached the Supreme Court after the Orissa High Court stayed its release across the country a day before its scheduled theatrical debut on July 17. In its interim order of July 15, the High Court said freedom of speech and expression could not be exercised in a way that hurt religious sentiments or disturbed public order. It had noted allegations that the film contained fictional episodes involving Lord Jagannath that were not in line with the Skanda Purana, the Brahma Purana and established temple traditions. The High Court also said releasing the film during the Rath Yatra, without changes suggested after a special screening before the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, would be counterproductive. Before the Supreme Court, the Solicitor General said the objection was not to the film being animated, but to certain depictions of Lord Jagannath after a special screening. He said scenes showing Lord Jagannath speaking and fighting had raised concerns among devotees, and argued that the release could be deferred until the Rath Yatra ended. Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the makers, said the film was a fictional, animated story for children and compared it to imaginative adaptations such as titles based on Bal Ganesh and Bal Hanuman rather than literal retellings of the Puranas. He also argued that once the CBFC had certified the film, neither the state nor the High Court could act as a 'super censor' by reassessing its contents on grounds of morality or public order.Kamat further told the court that the film was adapted from an animated series on Lord Jagannath that had been available on YouTube for nearly two years and had received more than 100 crore views without similar objections. The court took note of this submission and said it was in agreement with the argument, adding only that the film should not be released during the Rath Yatra. In a lighter moment, the Bench told the producers, 'Everybody will be eager to see the movie now... more box office for you.'A day before the Supreme Court hearing, Ele Animations said the film had been made with 'utmost honesty, sincerity and devotion' towards Lord Jagannath and his devotees. The makers described it as an extension of their animated series Jay Jagannath and said it was a heartfelt depiction of a devotee's bhav towards Mahaprabhu Jagannath. They said they respected the sentiments of every devotee and only hoped audiences would get the chance to watch the film and decide for themselves. The producers had also earlier told the High Court that the film carried a disclaimer saying it was a fictional work with no claim to historical or religious authenticity.With the Supreme Court refusing to modify its earlier order and dismissing the pleas seeking a continued stay, Mahaprabhu Jagannath now has clearance for release after July 28. The court has held that the temporary delay was only to maintain public order during the Rath Yatra, and not a bar on the film's exhibition.- EndsPublished By: shweta keshriPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 11:05 IST