The Supreme Court has allowed the release of the animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ after the Rath Yatra festival. Learn about the ongoing legal controversy
OdishaPlus Bureau
On Friday, July 17, the Supreme Court declined to permit the immediate release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath during the ongoing Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra. Nevertheless, it allowed the filmmakers to release the film on or after July 28, following the conclusion of the annual festival.
The apex court also issued notices to the Centre, the Odisha government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, and other involved parties regarding an appeal that contests the Orissa High Court’s interim order, which had suspended the film’s release.
The High Court had postponed the release after noting that the concerns raised about the film’s depiction of Lord Jagannath necessitated a thorough judicial review before it could be shown, according to ANI. The film was initially set to premiere in theaters on July 17. Additionally, the screening in Delhi, which was planned for Thursday, July 16, was also delayed.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana agreed to consider the petition challenging the High Court’s ruling. Senior advocate Devdatt Kamat, representing the filmmakers, requested an expedited hearing. Although he asked for the matter to be addressed on Thursday, the bench scheduled it for Friday.
The interim order issued by the High Court was made during the hearing of a public interest litigation submitted by Mahesh Kumar Sahu from Angul, along with Dr. Pramod Kumar Acharya from Puri and Umashankar Acharya from Nimapada. The petitioners requested the annulment of the film’s CBFC certification and sought to prevent its public screening in Odisha.
The public interest litigation raised objections to the film’s fictional representation of Lord Jagannath’s childhood, including its dialogues, adventures, and battle scenes. The petition asserted that these representations are at odds with the Skanda Purana, the Brahma Purana, and the long-established traditions linked to the Jagannath Temple.
Previously, the High Court had observed that the film purportedly did not conform to the religious text of the Skanda Purana, which resulted in the interim stay on its release while further deliberations were conducted.
Directed by Shripad Warkhedkar and produced by Ele Animations, a new release date for Mahaprabhu Jagannath is anticipated to be announced shortly.