Supreme Court refuses to halt release of animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath

The Supreme Court rejected a plea to ban an animated film on Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Justices emphasized artists' creative expression and tolerance for depicting deities. They noted that preventing such depictions would halt many religious television programs. The court stated that the Censor Board's approval meant no judicial interference was needed. It refused to restrict artistic creativity based on the objections of a few.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to ban the release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath, dismissing applications seeking to modify its earlier order that had allowed the movie to hit theatres after the conclusion of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri on July 28.A Bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan declined to interfere with its July 17 order, observing that objections based on religious sensitivity cannot become a ground to stifle artistic expression. The court also rejected the argument that depicting Lord Jagannath in animated form was inherently offensive, noting that the film was intended for children, Live Law reports.Court draws a line on artistic freedomMaking strong oral observations during the hearing, Justice Nagarathna questioned the growing tendency to seek judicial intervention against creative works merely because they do not align with the sentiments of a section of people."If there is such kind of sensibility, sensitivity, and two-three people file a writ petition, we will pass an order that in respect of Hindu God, Goddess or mythology, let there be no art form in India," she remarked. Referring to the many versions of the Ramayana across the country, she said creativity takes different forms and warned that accepting such arguments would mean no films, television shows, paintings or sculptures on Hindu deities could ever be made.Justice Mahadevan also pointed out that the film had already been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).The applications seeking a modification of the July 17 order had been filed by the temple trust and a devotee, who objected to the depiction of Lord Jagannath in cartoon form.Temple panel cites broken promise, producer denies assuranceAppearing for the Temple Committee, Odisha Advocate General Pritambar Acharya argued that the producer had breached the trust of religious authorities. He submitted that the producer had organised a special screening for religious heads, members of the temple committee and others, where several objections were raised over the animated portrayal of Lord Jagannath.According to Acharya, the producer had assured those present that the film would be modified in line with their concerns. He also claimed that the deity had been depicted like cartoon characters such as Doraemon and Spider-Man.Responding to the submissions, Justice Nagarathna reiterated that the court could not allow artistic expression to be curtailed because of the sensitivities of a few people. She observed that animation films are primarily made for children and noted that storytelling has always evolved with changing times. She also said filmmakers undertake research before creating such works to ensure creativity is backed by study.Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the producer, denied that any assurance had been given. He submitted that members of the temple committee had themselves walked out of the screening.After hearing both sides, the Bench said it was not inclined to modify its earlier order and dismissed the applications. It, however, observed that if the producer wished to make any changes voluntarily, he was free to do so according to his own conscience, adding that the court would not sit in judgment over such a decision.The matter reached the Supreme Court after the Orissa High Court had passed an interim order restraining the release of the film across the country. The producer, Ele Animations Pvt Ltd, challenged that order before the apex court, which on July 17 permitted the release of the film after the Rath Yatra concluded on July 28.BackgroundThe Orissa High Court had passed the interim order on July 15 while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mahesh Kumar Sahu.Delhi Police Files FIR Over alleged Abusive Posts Targeting PM Modi, Seeks X Account DetailsThe Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman had expressed concern that the film's release before the Rath Yatra, scheduled for July 16, could affect public order. The court observed that while films enjoy the protection of freedom of speech and expression, they can also have an immediate impact on public sentiment and religious beliefs, which could potentially disturb peace.The controversy began after Ele Animations Pvt Ltd uploaded a teaser of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on its YouTube channel, Jay Jagannath, on June 6, 2026, announcing that the film would be released on July 10, 2026. The teaser sparked widespread objections over the film's content.Following objections from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), which manages the 12th-century shrine in Puri, the producer organised a special screening for Puri's Gajapati Maharaja and SJTA members. They objected to what they described as inaccurate stories that were inconsistent with established Jagannath traditions and the spiritual history of the deity. According to the petitioners before the High Court, although the producer had reportedly agreed to make changes, the film was later scheduled for release on July 17 without incorporating those modifications. They therefore sought revocation of the CBFC certificate granted to the film.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay the release of the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath', and expressed concern over increasing petitions to ban art on the grounds of sensitivity.Supreme Court Urges Standalone Law On Digital Arrest Scams, Seeks Tougher Action Against Cyber Fraud A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan Supreme also remarked that the film does not, in any manner, undermine the devotion or reverence associated with Lord Jagannath.It dismissed the applications seeking to stop the release of the animated film while refusing to alter its July 17 order that allowed the producer to release the movie after the conclusion of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri on July 28.Delhi High Court Orders Immediate Takedown Of Kala Hiran Teaser, Upholds Salman Khan's Personality Rights The top court also rejected the contention that portraying Lord Jagannath in animated form was offensive, orally observing that if art is curtailed because it hurts the sensitivities of some people, then works based on the Ramayana and Mahabharata could never be created.The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and a devotee had filed the applications to modify the July 17 order seeking to stop the release of the film.During the hearing today, the bench expressed concern over the growing tendency to seek judicial bans on art and creativity merely because they do not align with the sensitivities of certain individuals.Ramayana Trailer To Be Released On July 30 At 4:15 AM; What Is Brahma Muhurat & Why Is It Considered Auspicious? The apex court cautioned that if such petitions continue to be filed, the court may eventually have to pass stringent orders barring any depiction of Hindu gods and goddesses in any artistic form.Pointing to the many versions of the Ramayana across India and the country's rich artistic traditions, Justice Nagarathna said that such a course would effectively stop films, television serials, paintings, sculptures, and other creative works based on Hindu mythology."If there is such kind of sensibility and sensitivity, and two or three people to file a writ petition, we will pass an order that in respect of Hindu God, Goddess or Mythology, let there be no art form in India," said the bench.Allu Arjun-Deepika Padukone Starrer Raaka To Be A Two-Part Franchise Film; Atlee's Directorial Being Made On Budget Of ₹1000 Crore: Report "We have Kabir's Ramayana, we have Ramayana of every State. Every person has his own creativity. If we pass such an order, all Ramayana, Mahabharata on television will stop. No art in any form - television, creativity, painting, sculpture of Hindu God or Goddess - if you want, we will pass such an order," Justice Nagarathna told Pritambar Acharya, Advocate General of Odisha, appearing for the temple administration.Acharya said that Lord Jagannath has been depicted as "Doremon" and "Spiderman" in the film.The bench rejected Acharya's objection regarding Lord Jagannath's depiction in animated form, saying that the film was meant for children."We heard the Advocate General; we are not inclined to modify the order. The application is dismissed," the bench ordered.'With My Ups, Downs...': Karan Johar Reveals How Shah Rukh Khan & Aditya Chopra Changed His Life, Shares Emotional Guru Purnima Note After dictating the order, the bench told the film's producer that he was free to make any modifications he deemed appropriate, guided by his own conscience, while making it clear that the court would not sit in judgment over such creative decisions.On July 17, the apex court had refused the immediate release of an 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.In an interim order, it had refused the release of the film, noting that the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced on July 16 and will continue till July 27.Where Is Cezanne Khan Now? Kasautii Zindagii Kay Actor Trends After Raja Chaudhary Claims He Dated Shweta Tiwari The order of the top court had come 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 had banned the release of the film across the country for not strictly adhering to the religious text of Skanda Purana.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.)

New Delhi, July 29, 2026: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said its earlier decision to allow the release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath only after the conclusion of the Rath Yatra was aimed at striking a balance between public order concerns and the fundamental right to freedom of expression. The Court also agreed to hear an application filed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Wednesday challenging the film's release.The matter was mentioned before a Bench headed by Justice B V Nagarathna after the application was not listed, despite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant having assured the temple administration a day earlier that it would be taken up on Tuesday. Odisha Advocate General Pitamber Acharya sought an urgent hearing before the Bench, which had passed the July 17 order allowing the film's release after the Rath Yatra.Balancing Faith And Free SpeechJustice Nagarathna said the Court had deliberately postponed the release until after the festival, keeping in mind public sensitivities and possible law and order issues."We had permitted the release of the movie after the conclusion of Rath Yatra as we had to balance everything. We are conscious about the sensitivities attached to law and order. So we permitted the release after the festival gets over," the Bench observed.Appearing for the Odisha government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration had approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on July 25, seeking revocation of the certification granted to the film. He argued that the CBFC could not decide the representation because the Supreme Court had already ordered the film's release.Acharya told the Court that the petition challenging the contents of the film is still pending before the Orissa High Court and is scheduled for hearing on August 5. He clarified that the temple administration was only seeking a clarification that the Supreme Court's July 17 order dealt solely with the timing of the film's release and did not decide the merits of the challenge. He urged the Court to allow the High Court to decide the pending petition.Fresh Legal Battle Over FilmThe Bench, however, observed that the temple administration was attempting to widen the scope of the proceedings. "You are now expanding the scope of the petition. This is only a cartoon. It will appeal more as its fictional work. We balanced the rights of liberty of the producer and the sensitivity involved and permitted the movie's release after the Rath Yatra gets over," it said.Mehta then suggested that the application be formally listed so that the temple administration could present its concerns. The Bench accepted the request and agreed to hear the matter on Wednesday.In its application, the temple administration told the Court that protests against the film were continuing across Odisha through demonstrations, processions, public meetings, representations, and calls to stop its screening in cinema halls, Hindustan Times reported.Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for producer Ele Animations Private Limited, opposed the application, arguing that it was effectively seeking a review of the Court's earlier order. Questioning the state's stand, Kamat said, "What kind of a government are they running if law and order is being cited as a reason to deny exhibition of a film which has received CBFC certification."Responding to the submission, Mehta said the Court had not watched the film. He informed the Bench that a pre-release screening had been organised for the temple administration, which had suggested certain changes. According to him, the grievance was that the film was released without incorporating those recommended cuts.The temple administration also argued that although the Rath Yatra had concluded, lakhs of pilgrims were still in and around Puri and travelling across Odisha. It urged the Court to restrain the film's release until either the Orissa High Court or the CBFC takes a final decision.Dispute Over Film's ReleaseThe dispute stems from the Supreme Court's July 17 order on a petition filed by the producer challenging an interim order of the Orissa High Court staying the film's release. The High Court had stayed the release on a petition filed by Mahesh Kumar Sahu, who alleged that the film's depiction of Lord Jagannath was contrary to the Skanda Purana, the Brahma Purana, and long-established traditions associated with the Jagannath Temple.The producer has maintained that Mahaprabhu Jagannath is a fictional animated film centred on a child named Balram, a devotee of Lord Jagannath. The producer also informed the Court that the story has been successfully aired as a television series for the past two years.Also Watch: Rath Yatra 2026: Why Ganjam Kewda Flowers Hold A Special Place In Jagannath Temple Traditions?While staying the release earlier, the Orissa High Court observed that films are a powerful medium of expression and that their impact, particularly in matters involving religious faith, must be carefully assessed. It held that the right to freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution must be balanced against the reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2), and cannot be exercised in a manner that hurts religious sentiments or disturbs public order.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/