SC declines immediate release of 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath', asks makers to wait till Rath Yatra ends
New Delhi, July 17
The Supreme Court on Friday declined to permit the release of the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' on its scheduled release date and directed the producers to postpone its release till after the conclusion of the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri on July 27.
A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan refused to stay the Odisha High Court's order, observing that the Rath Yatra had commenced on Thursday and would continue till July 27.
"During the Rath Yatra, don't do it (release). After the Rath Yatra, you can release it," the Justice Nagarathna-led Bench observed while hearing the plea filed by the makers seeking permission to release the film on Friday.
Permitting the petitioners to release the film after July 27, the apex court disposed of the plea.
The makers had moved the Supreme Court challenging the Odisha High Court's decision restraining the release of the animated film on the ground that it did not conform to the Skanda Purana.
Senior advocate Devadatt Kamath, appearing for the producers before the apex court, had submitted that the film is an animated feature made for children and that the ban had caused crores of rupees in losses to the producers.
Earlier, the makers had maintained that 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' was an extension of their animated series 'Jay Jagannath', created with "utmost honesty, sincerity and devotion" towards Lord Jagannath and his devotees.
They had also stated that the film had received a 'U' certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Hindi, Odia and Telugu and expressed hope that audiences would be allowed to watch the film and decide for themselves.
The film, produced by Durga Prasad Dalai under the banner of Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd., was originally slated for a pan-India release on over 300 screens in Hindi, Odia and Telugu.
Helmed by Shripad Warkhedkar, the animated feature is positioned as a family entertainer based on the life and teachings of Lord Jagannath and follows the success of the television animated series Jay Jagannath.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I respect the religious sentiment, the makers claim it's an animated film for children with CBFC clearance. How much damage can it do? Banning it during Rath Yatra seems like excessive caution. The court could have let it release with disclaimers about artistic interpretation.
As an Odia devotee, I appreciate the court's sensitivity. Lord Jagannath is not just a deity but our cultural soul. The animated series 'Jay Jagannath' is wonderful, but during Rath Yatra, all attention should be on the yatra itself. Makers should wait and respect tradition. Jai Jagannath! 🙏
Interesting case from an outsider's perspective. It seems like a reasonable compromise - delaying by 10 days. But why did the High Court ban it entirely if CBFC had cleared it? Seems like overreach by the judiciary into creative freedom. The Skanda Purana argument feels a bit stretched for an animated kids' film.
Crores in losses for the makers! 🥺 That's tough. They must have done thorough research and worked with devotion. Animating Lord Jagannath is no small feat. But I guess respecting the festival timing is important too. Hope the film gets a grand release after July 27. Would love to see it with my kids!
This is typical Indian judicial balancing. A bit of common sense: If the film was truly devotional and respectful as claimed, why would anyone object? The court should have examined the content more thoroughly before ordering a delay. Our courts often err on the side of avoiding any potential controversy, but that stifles artistic expression.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.