Mahaprabhu Jagannath banned a day before release, makers approach Supreme Court

The makers of Mahaprabhu Jagannath have moved the Supreme Court against the Orissa High Court's release stay. The challenge follows objections to the film's depiction of Lord Jagannath during Rath Yatra.

In Short

• The film had secured CBFC certification before the High Court order
• Counsel said the producer invested crores and booked over 300 theatres
• The Chief Justice refused same-day listing, citing only exceptional urgency

The makers of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath have moved the Supreme Court against an Orissa High Court order that has halted the film's release across the country, just a day before it was due to hit screens on July 17.

According to a report by LiveLaw.com, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat made an urgent mention before the Chief Justice of India, seeking a hearing on the same day. The Chief Justice turned down a same-day listing but agreed the matter would be taken up the following day, coinciding with the film's original release date.

Kamat told the court that Mahaprabhu Jagannath is an animated feature on Lord Jagannath made for children, and that the High Court had stopped its release on the grounds that it did not align with the Skanda Purana. He pointed out that the Central Board of Film Certification had already cleared the film and granted it a certificate under Section 5 of the Cinematograph Act.

He said the High Court's order had been uploaded only at 9 pm the previous day, and argued that the ban would cause serious prejudice and hardship to the producer, who had invested crores of rupees in the project.

He said more than 300 theatres had been booked for the screening of the film and pressed for an immediate hearing. He further submitted that the public interest litigation in the High Court had been taken up just before the release and that the High Court had passed a hasty order banning the film pan-India. The Chief Justice, however, said same-day listing is granted only in extremely urgent matters such as death penalty cases.

What the High Court said

The challenge before the Supreme Court comes after the Orissa High Court on July 15 restrained the release of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, observing that while freedom of speech and expression is protected under the Constitution, it cannot be allowed to shatter religious sentiments in a manner that leads to unrest in society. The High Court also said releasing the film during the ongoing Rath Yatra, without incorporating changes suggested after a special screening before the Gajapati Maharaja and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, would be 'counterproductive'.

The interim order was passed by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman in a public interest litigation that sought revocation of the certificate granted to the film by the CBFC and a direction restraining its exhibition in Odisha. According to the petitioners, Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. released the teaser of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on June 6, 2026, announcing its theatrical release. They said the teaser and the film's content drew widespread objections from devotees, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and others, after which the producer arranged a special screening before the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri and temple administration officials.

The petitioners said several objections were raised at that screening over depictions claimed to be inconsistent with established religious traditions, spiritual history and long-standing temple practices. They alleged that although the producer assured those present that suitable changes would be made, the film was later scheduled for release on July 17 without those changes.

According to the petition, the film misrepresents the culture, rituals, traditions and devotional history associated with Lord Jagannath by showing fictional childhood episodes, personal adventures and battle sequences involving the deity, depicting Lord Jagannath speaking and behaving in an invented manner, and including narratives allegedly contrary to the 'Skanda Purana', the 'Brahma Purana' and long-established temple traditions. The petitioners argued that such portrayals could harm devotees' religious beliefs and cause public unrest.

What the makers said

Opposing the plea, the producer said the film carried a disclaimer stating that it was a fictional story with no connection to historical or religious reality and was not intended to undermine devotees' faith. The producer also argued that the film was protected by the constitutional guarantee of free speech under Article 19(1)(a) and pointed to the substantial financial investment already made in the project.

After considering the rival submissions, the High Court said films are a powerful medium of expression and their impact must be judged by their overall effect on the public, particularly when matters of religious faith are involved. It said that although films are made mainly for entertainment, they can influence public thought and action, and that the right under Article 19(1)(a) must be balanced against the reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). The Bench observed, "Even if the movie enjoins the guarantee of the freedom of expression and/or speech, but it impacted the thoughts and the action of the common people. At times may shatter the sentiments, the emotions and the religious belief, which cannot be allowed, if it results in unrest in the peaceful society."

The High Court also attached significance to the timing of the release, noting that Rath Yatra had commenced on July 16 and a large congregation of devotees was expected. It said the objectionable portions identified in the PIL would require detailed examination after exchange of affidavits. The court therefore restrained Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. from releasing Mahaprabhu Jagannath on July 17, 2026, 'or thereafter without leave of the Court or until the next date, whichever is earlier'.

- Ends