Mahaprabhu Jagannath banned a day before release, makers issue statement

The makers of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath have approached 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. They have also issued a statement defending the film and urging audiences to watch it and decide for themselves.

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 across 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. According to a report by LawBeat.in, 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.

The PIL was filed in the Orissa High Court by Mahesh Kumar Sahu of Angul, Dr Pramod Kumar Acharya of Puri and Umashankar Acharya of Nimapada

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

On July 16, Ele Animations, the makers of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, issued a statement saying the film was made with "utmost honesty, sincerity and devotion" towards Lord Jagannath and his devotees.

The statement described the film as "an extension of our animated series Jay Jagannath" and said it was "a heartfelt depiction of a devotee's bhav (devotion) towards Mahaprabhu Jagannath."

The makers added, "We deeply respect the sentiments of every devotee and everyone who follows the path of Lord Jagannath. We simply hope audiences get the opportunity to watch the film and decide for themselves. This Rath Yatra, our wish is for the film to reach children and families and bring them closer to learning more about Lord Jagannath and imbibe the culture and values. We have made this film giving our heart, soul and with pure intentions to celebrate the faith, culture and devotion."

The statement also noted that the film had received a U certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Hindi, Odia and Telugu. Confirming the legal challenge, the makers said they had filed a review petition before the Supreme Court.

"As the matter is currently sub judice, we will refrain from commenting further and place our faith in the judicial process," the statement said.

Earlier, opposing the plea before the High Court, the producer argued that the film carried a disclaimer identifying it as a fictional story with no bearing on historical or religious fact, and said it was not intended to undermine anyone's faith. The producer also invoked the constitutional guarantee of free speech under Article 19(1)(a), while highlighting the scale of the financial investment already sunk into the project.