Supreme Court Delays Mahaprabhu Jagannath Film Until After Rath Yatra

The Supreme Court of India refused to allow the immediate release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath, instead permitting its exhibition on or after July 28, 2026. The decision follows the conclusion of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, addressing concerns that a release during the festival could cause social unrest.

The ruling follows a challenge by Ele Animations Pvt Ltd against an interim order from the Odisha High Court, which had banned the film's countrywide release on July 15. The High Court's stay was based on a public interest litigation arguing that the film's depictions of Lord Jagannath's childhood and battles contradict temple traditions and the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana religious texts.

Represented by senior advocate Devdatt Kamat, the producers argued that the film was a devotional work intended for children and had already received a 'U' certification from the Central Board of Film Certification in Hindi, Odia, and Telugu. They contended that the ban resulted in financial losses of crores of rupees. A bench consisting of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan declined to stay the High Court's interim order but set the new release window. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Central Government, the Odisha government, the Central Board of Film Certification, and the temple administration regarding the ongoing appeal.