Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has restrained Ele Animations Pvt Ltd from releasing its animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’, originally scheduled for July 17, citing the need for detailed judicial examination of objections regarding its portrayal of Lord Jagannath.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman issued the interim order on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Mahesh Kumar Sahu from Angul, Dr Pramod Kumar Acharya from Puri, and Umashankar Acharya from Nimapada. The petitioners sought the revocation of the film’s certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and a ban on its public screening in Odisha.
The court has issued notices to the Union Ministry of Culture, the CBFC, and the film’s producer and directed the latter not to release ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ on July 17 or thereafter without its permission. The bench has scheduled the next hearing for August 5 to review the responses.
Objections from Devotees and Temple Authorities
The petitioners highlighted that the film’s teaser, released on June 6, provoked widespread protests from devotees, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), and other stakeholders over its title and depiction of the deity. A subsequent special screening was arranged for the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri and temple officials, during which several scenes were flagged as inconsistent with Jagannath traditions and religious texts such as the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana.
Senior Advocate Manoj Mishra, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the film included fictional elements like imagined childhood episodes, dialogues, adventures, and battle sequences that deviated from established scriptures.
Despite the producer’s assurances to make changes following the screening, the petitioners claimed the revised version retained the contentious content.
Producer’s Defence and Court’s Observations
Ele Animations defended the project through Senior Advocate Gautam Mukherjee, arguing that the film is protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression. The defense emphasised that the movie includes a clear disclaimer labelling it a work of fiction, and argued that the PIL had been filed at the eleventh hour, after significant investments had already been made in the project.
The bench, however, emphasised that freedom of expression is not absolute. “While taking shelter under the freedom of expression and/or speech as guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of India, a balance has to be created between such rights and the restrictions imposed under Article 19(2),” the court observed.
It further noted that content capable of shattering religious sentiments and emotions cannot be permitted if it risks disturbing public order, particularly with the film’s planned release coinciding with Rath Yatra period.
The court highlighted that the producer had proceeded with the July 17 release without incorporating the modifications suggested by the Gajapati Maharaja and SJTA representatives. The interim stay will remain in effect until the next hearing or until further orders from the court.
