Supreme Court allows release of animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath after Rath Yatra, says animation cannot erode devotion

The Supreme Court on Friday (July 17, 2026) permitted the exhibition of an animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’, prohibited for not strictly adhering to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, assuring that animated fiction cannot diminish piety.

“Devotion is something internal for everyone. Can an animated film bring down devotion? How can fiction be in accordance with the Skanda Purana and the Brahma Purana… It is only imagination at work,” Justice B.V. Nagarathna, heading a Division Bench, addressed the Odisha government and trustees of the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, who have objected to the film.

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.

Also Read | Thousands participate in Jagannath Rath Yatra across Hyderabad

The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by the film’s makers, Ele Animations, against an Orissa High Court ban on its screening. The film was scheduled for release on July 17 in 300-odd theatres across the country. Significantly, the High Court had stopped the release of the film even after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had cleared the movie.

Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, for the film makers, said the intent of the film was to instill devotion in children and the fictional form was adapted to make the divine origin and stories of the deity “palatable” to young minds. He said the film was about a child, Balram. Mr. Kamat there had been animated works on ‘Bal Ganesh’ and ‘Bal Hanuman’.

Mr. Kamat said the film was only a movie adaptation of a TV series which has been running successfully to 100 crore views on YouTube for over two years. He said the ban, besides causing economic losses and mass cancellation of theatres and bookings, had struck a telling blow on the fundamental freedom of speech and expression.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Odisha, said the trustees and Gajapati of the Lord Jagannath Temple had found certain portions of the film objectionable.

“There are certain issues… The way in which the Lord is shown fighting… I do not take examples but consider if Lord Krishna is shown as having been born in a resort instead of in prison… You may have literary freedom, but you cannot have radical change,” Mr. Mehta reasoned.

Mr. Kamat contended how parties’ objections or the State intervention or even the High Court could possibly interfere in the release of a CBFC-certified film on the grounds of public order and morality. He said the objections raised by the respondent parties had been considered by the CBFC before certifying the film.

“Release it by the end of the month.. Release it after the Rath Yatra,” Justice Nagarathna addressed Mr. Kamat.

The senior advocate agreed, but not without querying, “can the Supreme Court postpone the release of the film”.