SC allows release of animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ post ‘Lord Jagannath Yatra’

The Supreme Court allowed the nationwide release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath on or after July 28, following Rath Yatra festivities. The court noted the CBFC certification and existing web series, while the Orissa High Court had earlier stayed its release

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the all India release of animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ on or after July 28 post Lord Jagannath Yatra festivities.

A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan noted that the animated movie was based on a web series already released on Youtube, and that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had granted clearance for its screening.

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The film producers had challenged an order of the Orissa High Court which restrained Ele Animations Pvt Ltd from releasing the film, which was scheduled to hit theatres on Friday.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State, said the Yatra has commenced on Thursday in Odisha and other parts of the country.

The high court had observed that the objections raised over its portrayal of Lord Jagannath require detailed judicial scrutiny before the film can be exhibited.

The high court bench had passed the interim order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mahesh Kumar Sahu of Angul, along with Dr Pramod Kumar Acharya of Puri and Umashankar Acharya of Nimapada.

The petition sought cancellation of the film’s certification by the CBFC and a direction restraining its public screening in Odisha.

The petition objected to the fictional depiction of Lord Jagannath’s childhood, dialogue, and battle sequences, contending that they were contrary to the Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana and long-standing temple traditions.