Bhubaneswar/Puri: The trailer of the much-anticipated pan-India animated feature film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’, produced by Bhubaneswar-based Ele Animations, has ignited a major controversy in Odisha.
Puri’s Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, who serves as the chairman of Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, has strongly criticised the portrayal of Lord Jagannath, calling it fictitious and contrary to established scriptures.
The film, scheduled for theatrical release on July 10 in Odia, Hindi, and Telugu, comes just days before the sacred Rath Yatra. It is being positioned as India’s first major animated feature on the deity, building on the success of the creators’ earlier series ‘Jay Jagannath’. The June 22 trailer, depicting an epic journey involving Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Garuda battling evil through devotion, has sparked concerns over how the deity and associated traditions are depicted in the film.
‘MAHAPRABHU JAGANNATH’ TRAILER OUT NOW – IN CINEMAS 10 JULY 2026 IN 3 LANGUAGES… This #RathYatra, witness the divine story of Mahaprabhu Jagannath come alive on the big screen.
Witness the divine journey of devotion as the team behind the animation film #MahaprabhuJagannath… pic.twitter.com/4JY6BbDWZh
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 22, 2026
In a pointed statement on Thursday, the Gajapati Maharaja, considered the first servitor (Adya Sevaka) of Lord Jagannath, alleged that the trailer presents a “completely fictitious story” of Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu that deviates from traditional narrations in sacred texts. He emphasised that any depiction of the deity’s glory must align with scriptures composed by Maharshi Vedavyasa. “As chairperson of the temple managing committee, I stress that propagation of the deity’s glory must conform to these texts. A distorted presentation will hurt the sentiments of countless devotees worldwide,” Deb said.
He urged the producers to postpone the release until the content is reviewed and authenticated by experts appointed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
The SJTA has echoed these concerns, describing Lord Jagannath as inseparably linked to the soul and emotions of every Odia. A temple official warned of potential action if the film is released without necessary corrections, calling any portrayal in a poor light “condemnable.”
Critics and temple servitors echoed the sentiment that a distorted representation of the deity could potentially hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees worldwide. They have also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the trailer. One servitor, Binayak Dasmohapatra, expressed disappointment that an Odia filmmaker based in Bhubaneswar had depicted the Lord erroneously.
Jagannath culture expert Manoj Ratha voiced support for the Gajapati’s stand. Ratha noted that this is not an isolated incident, highlighting a growing trend on social media where cartoonish, distorted, or mocking imagery of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are being circulated under the guise of entertainment.
In response to the backlash, the Bhubaneswar-based production house, ELi Animations Pvt Ltd, issued a press statement expressing full respect for the Maharaja’s concerns. They announced plans to organise a special pre-screening for him and have requested audiences to wait for further updates before the official release
Produced by Durga Prasad Dalai, the film has been directed by Shripad Warkhedkar. Chandrasekhear Prasad and Santosh Reddy are the executive producers.
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