The Supreme Court declined to allow the release of the animation film Mahaprabhu Jagannath today (the scheduled release date), directing the producers to postpone its release until after July 27, when the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri concludes.

A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan was hearing a petition filed by the producer of the film, Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd, challenging the order passed by the Orissa High Court on July 15 banning the countrywide release of the film.

The bench refused to stay the High Court's order, noting that the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced yesterday and will continue till July 27.

"After the rath yatra, you can release it," Justice Nagarathna said.

Although Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, for the petitioner(Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd.), made a fervent plea to allow the release of the film today, the originally announced date, the bench declined. "You release it after July 31st," Justice Nagarathna said. Kamat submitted that crores of money have been invested and theatres were chartered for the release of the film today. He underscored that the Central Board of Film Certification has cleared the film, which is meant for kids and is based on a TV series that has been in exhibition for long. He pointed out that there are animation movies based on Bal Ganesh, and said that this creation was also similar.

"During the Rath Yatra, don't do it (release)", Justice Nagarathna said.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta appeared for the State of Odisha.

Permitting the petitioner to release the film after July 27, the Court disposed of the petition.

The matter was listed today after an urgent mention made by Kamat yesterday before the Chief Justice of India. Though Kamat had requested for a hearing yesterday itself, as the film was slated to release today, CJI Surya Kant refused, saying that same-day listing can be given for extremely urgent matters like death penalty execution.

Background

The Orissa High Court passed the order on July 15 on a Public Interest Litigation filed by one Mahesh Kumar Sahu.

While directing the producer to temporarily halt the release of the movie, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman expressed apprehension about its possible effect on public order, especially when the Rath Yatra is scheduled to be held on July 16. The Bench thus remarked–

“Even if the movie enjoins the guarantee of the freedom of expression and/or speech, but it impacted the thoughts and the action of the common people and, therefore should ensure high degree of attention and retention. At times it creates an immediate influence and at times may shatter the sentiments, the emotions and the religious belief, which cannot be allowed, if it results in unrest in the peaceful society. The motive to release the film may also be one of the facets to be borne in mind at a particular point of time, which may invite an immediate and prompt reaction having cascading effect, that would corrode the fabric resultantly affecting the peace in the society.”

On 06.06.2026, Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. (hereinafter “the producer”) posted a teaser on the YouTube channel titled 'Jay Jagannath' announcing the release of an animated film “Mahaprabhu Jagannath” on July 10, 2026. Upon release of such a teaser, there was widespread dissension as to the contents of the said movie.

Receiving objections from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the body responsible for management of the 12th-century shrine, the producer had exhibited the film to Puri's Gajapati Maharaja and the members of the SJTA. They raised several objections against depiction of allegedly inaccurate stories opposed to the established Jagannath traditions and the spiritual history of the deity. Reportedly, the producers had assured the Maharaja and the SJTA of making suggested changes which shall be in line with the well-established religious belief, tradition and culture.

However, the petitioners before the High Court claimed that the producer scheduled the release on July 17, without making necessary/substantial changes. Thus, they urged the Court to revoke the certificate granted to the movie by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Case : ELE ANIMATIONS PVT. LTD. Vs MAHESH KUMAR SAHU | SLP(C) No. 23905/2026 Diary No. 41972 / 2026