Orissa High Court Refuses To Stay Release Of Odia Movie 'Sanatani' For Allegedly Being Derogatory To Christian Religion

The Orissa High Court has declined to stay the release of Odia movie 'Sanatani' amidst allegations of it being derogatory to Christian religion and having potential to cause unrest and disruption of the law-and-order situation.

Two writ petitions filed by the petitioners Idma Kurami and Amodh Kumar Bardhan were jointly taken up for hearing on Wednesday by the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo.

Advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioners informed the Court that the movie contains scenes depicting religious intolerance towards Christianity, which is slated to be released on February 07, 2025 (Friday).

He produced a pen-drive containing recordings of the trailer of the movie and also provided English translations of the dialogues. He further submitted that the movie carries derogatory dialogues and scenes against Christianity, which purports to extinguish the tribal community by making them part of the Hindu community.

However, it was submitted that the film has received certification from the Censor Board which found it suitable for screening. Attention of the Court was drawn towards Section 5-B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which provides for principles of guidance in certifying films.

The aforesaid provision says that a film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of Court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.

It was contended that the certification was illegally granted to the film and screening of the same shall affect public order. Therefore, they sought interim stay on the release of the movie.

On the other side, PK Parhi, Deputy Solicitor General appearing for the Union of India drew attention to the plot summary disclosed by the petitioners in their petition. Counsel for the petitioners clarified that the summary is a part of the certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Relying upon the plot summary, the DSGI argued that no interference is required by the Court.

Similarly, it was submitted on behalf of the State that regional certification has also been obtained by the producer of the film. The certifications were duly granted and contents of the writ petitions do not reveal any substance warranting interference by the Court.

The Court perused the allegedly offending dialogues, which are as follows –

“When you came here you had one Bible in your hand and people had their lands… now you have their lands and Bibles in their hands.” [Dialogue 1]

“Yesu is a false God (Bhanda baba). He had three girlfriends. He is similar like Sarathi Baba… a fake God (Bhanda baba). He was just a magician and was fooling the uneducated people.” [Dialogue 2]

After going through the above extracts, the Bench opined that the first dialogue appears to be a quotable quote and the second is in respect of Bhanda babas/ self-styled godmen. Furthermore, it said, the dialogues appear to have been obtained from a website, which is deceptively similar to a popular website, where people can upload their videos.

“Considering petitioners themselves say they had knowledge about the trailers in November, 2024 coupled with depictions from a website deceptively similar to another with no demonstration of checks in place for authenticity of contents, it is a situation unsafe for us to rely on and interfere, when the film is to be released day after tomorrow,” it held.

While denying to stop the release of the film, the Court kept the petitions pending and listed the matter on February 19, 2025, on which date both the Union and the State shall inform the Court as to whether there is any need to reconsider screening of the movie on apprehension of public disorder.

Case Title: Idma Kurami & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors and tagged case

Case No: W.P.(C) Nos. 3612 and 3766 of 2025

Date of Order: February 05, 2025

Counsel for the Petitioners: Dr. B.K. Mishra & Ms. S. Jena, Advocates

Counsel for the Respondents: Mr. P.K. Parhi, Deputy Solicitor General for Union of India; Mr. B. Dash, Additional Government Advocate for the State of Odisha

Click Here To Read/Download Order