Supreme Court allows animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath to release after Rath Yatra

The Supreme Court has postponed the premiere of the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' until after the Puri Rath Yatra festival concludes. The ruling emphasizes the importance of respecting religious sentiments during this time. With significant investments made and theaters booked across the nation, the producers are left in limbo, awaiting the rescheduled release date, which now hinges on the end of the festivities.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused the immediate release of animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra and permitted the makers of the film to release it on or after July 28, when the Yatra concludes.Supreme Court refuses immediate release of an animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra and permits the makers of the film to release it on or after July 28, when the Yatra concludes.Supreme Court also issues notices to the Centre, Odisha…— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2026 A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan refused the release of the film, noting that the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced on July 16 and will continue till July 27."After the Rath Yatra, you can release it," said Justice Nagarathna, as the bench refused to stay the Odisha High Court's interim order banning the film's release."We permit the film to be exhibited on or after July 28, 2026. Appeal Disposed of," the bench ordered. It also issued notices to the Centre, Odisha government, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), temple administration and others on an appeal filed by the producer of the film, Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd, challenging the order passed by the High Court on July 15 banning the countrywide release of the film.The High Court banned the release of the film across the country for not strictly adhering to the religious text of the Skanda Purana.During the hearing, senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing first for the filmmakers, urged the bench to allow the release of the film on July 17, the originally announced date.From Prabhas' Baahubali To Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayan & Beyond: How Indian Cinema Entered Comic Con He said crores of money have been invested and 300-odd theatres were chartered for the release of the film today.Kamat said the CBFC has cleared the film, and the same TV series has been in exhibition on a YouTube channel for a long time.The petition filed before the High Court had sought the cancellation of the film's certification and a ban on its public screening in the State while objecting to the portrayal of Lord Jagannath in the film and had sought a detailed judicial scrutiny. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

The Bench took the middle path by allowing the movie to be released, but only after the completion of the ongoing Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra on July 27, 2026. The court directed that the film could be released on or after July 28.

The film producers had challenged an order of the Orissa High Court which restrained Ele Animations Pvt Ltd from releasing the film, which was scheduled to hit theatres on Friday.

The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath,' which encountered a release block from the Orissa High Court due to concerns about religious sensitivities. Producers are pushing back, arguing for its release based on its children-centric nature and CBFC approval. As the film's anticipated release day arrives, the court will scrutinize the balance between creative rights and maintaining public tranquility and religious respect.