The Supreme Court has permitted the release of the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' but directed it to premiere only after the conclusion of the Puri Rath Yatra on July 28, 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • The Supreme Court overturned the ban on the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath'.
  • Release is permitted only after the completion of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra (post-July 27, 2026).
  • The Court ruled that animated fiction cannot diminish a devotee's piety.
  • The decision balances freedom of expression with religious sentiments.

New Delhi: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has granted permission for the exhibition of the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath'. While allowing the film's release, the Court took a sensitive approach by directing that the movie can only be screened on or after July 28, 2026, ensuring that the ongoing sacred Rath Yatra in Puri is completed without any controversy.

Animation vs. Devotion: The Judicial Perspective

Presiding over a Division Bench, Justice B.V. Nagarathna addressed the core of the dispute—the tension between artistic imagination and scriptural adherence. Responding to objections from the Odisha government and the trustees of the Lord Jagannath Temple, the Justice remarked, "Devotion is something internal for everyone. Can an animated film bring down devotion? How can fiction be measured against the Skanda Purana and the Brahma Purana? It is only imagination at work." This observation emphasizes that faith is a personal experience that transcends medium-specific interpretations.

The Legal Battle and CBFC Certification

The film's makers, Ele Animations, had approached the apex court after the Odisha High Court imposed a ban on the film despite it receiving clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, representing the makers, argued that the film was designed to make divine stories "palatable" for children, drawing parallels to successful animated works like 'Bal Ganesh'. He further highlighted that the ban was causing significant economic losses and infringing upon the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

Arguments on Religious Sanctity

On the other side, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Odisha, argued that certain depictions in the film were objectionable to the temple trustees and the Gajapati. He contended that while literary freedom exists, it should not lead to radical changes in how divine figures are portrayed. By scheduling the release after the Rath Yatra, the Supreme Court has effectively provided a middle ground that protects both the freedom of the creators and the sanctity of the religious festival.