Jagannath – Supreme Court Permits Nationwide Release of Animated Film After Rath Yatra
Jagannath –The Supreme Court has permitted the nationwide theatrical release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath on or after July 28, following the completion of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrations. The decision allows the filmmakers to move ahead with the release while ensuring that the annual religious festival concludes before the movie reaches cinemas across the country.
Supreme Court Grants Conditional Approval
A Bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan observed that the film had already received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), making it eligible for public exhibition. The court also noted that the movie draws from a web series that had previously been made available on YouTube, a factor considered during the hearing before granting permission for its release after July 28.
Producers Challenged High Court Order
The filmmakers had approached the Supreme Court after the Orissa High Court issued an interim order preventing the scheduled release of the film, which was originally planned for Friday. Seeking relief from the restriction, the production company argued that the film had already completed the certification process and should be allowed to reach audiences across India.
State Highlights Ongoing Religious Festival
Representing the State, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the apex court that the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra had commenced on Thursday in Odisha and was also being observed in several other parts of the country. Considering the significance of the festival, the Supreme Court directed that the theatrical release should take place only after the major religious celebrations conclude.
High Court Had Raised Concerns
Earlier, the Orissa High Court had expressed the view that objections regarding the film’s portrayal of Lord Jagannath deserved careful judicial examination before any public screening could take place. As a result, it had temporarily restrained the producers from releasing the animated feature until the concerns presented before the court received further consideration.
Public Interest Litigation Led to Interim Stay
The interim restriction originated from a public interest litigation filed by Mahesh Kumar Sahu from Angul along with Dr. Pramod Kumar Acharya of Puri and Umashankar Acharya of Nimapada. The petitioners requested the court to revoke the CBFC certification granted to the film and sought directions to prohibit its screening within Odisha.
Objections Over Religious Depiction
According to the petition, the filmmakers presented fictional elements relating to Lord Jagannath’s childhood, dialogues and battle scenes. The petitioners argued that these portrayals did not align with descriptions found in the Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana, and long-established traditions associated with the Jagannath Temple. They maintained that the depiction of revered religious figures should remain consistent with accepted scriptures and customary practices.
With the Supreme Court’s latest order, the film is now cleared for an all-India theatrical release on or after July 28. While the legal proceedings concerning the objections may continue separately, the apex court’s decision provides the producers with permission to release the certified animated feature after the conclusion of the Rath Yatra festivities, balancing the concerns surrounding the ongoing religious observances with the filmmakers’ right to exhibit their work.