The animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath is finally set to hit theatres after the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed applications seeking to stop its release. Refusing to interfere with its earlier order, the apex court upheld its July 17 decision permitting the film to be released after the conclusion of the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, which ended on July 28.
As per a report by LiveLaw, a Bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan declined to modify its previous ruling despite objections raised by the Odisha government, representing the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), and a devotee. The petitioners argued that portraying Lord Jagannath in an animated or cartoon format hurt the religious sentiments of devotees and sought a complete stay on the film’s release.
However, the Supreme Court made it clear that artistic expression cannot be curtailed merely because a section of people finds a particular depiction offensive. During the hearing, Justice Nagarathna observed that accepting such arguments would effectively make it impossible to create films, television shows, paintings or sculptures based on Hindu mythology.
“If there is such kind of sensibility and sensitivity, and two or three people file a writ petition, we will pass an order that there shall be no art form in India in respect of Hindu Gods, Goddesses or mythology,” Justice Nagarathna remarked. She added that India has several interpretations of epics like the Ramayana, including Kabir’s version and numerous regional adaptations, all reflecting individual creativity.
The judge further warned that if courts routinely entertained such petitions, it could lead to an extreme situation where no artistic representation of Hindu deities would be permissible. “If we pass such an order, all Ramayana and Mahabharata on television will stop. No art in any form – television, creativity, painting or sculpture – depicting Hindu Gods or Goddesses would be possible,” she observed.
Justice R Mahadevan also pointed out that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already granted certification to the film.
Appearing for the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Odisha Advocate General Pritambar Acharya argued that the producer had breached an assurance allegedly given after organising a special screening for religious leaders and temple authorities. According to the temple administration, objections had been raised over the depiction of Lord Jagannath in animated form, and the producer had promised to make changes before the theatrical release. Acharya even alleged that the deity had been portrayed in a manner resembling fictional characters such as Doraemon and Spider-Man.
Responding to the submissions, Justice Nagarathna reiterated that artists could not be “taken to ransom” because a few individuals objected to their creative choices. She observed that animated films are primarily intended for children and emphasised that filmmakers undertake extensive research before adapting religious subjects.
Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the producer, denied that any binding assurance had been given to the temple authorities. He contended that members of the temple committee had walked out of the special screening before its completion.
After hearing both sides, the Bench dismissed the applications, stating that it was “not inclined to modify” its July 17 order. At the same time, the Court clarified that if the filmmaker wished to make any voluntary changes to the film, he was free to do so based on his own conscience, but the judiciary would not sit in judgment over such creative decisions.
The dispute traces its origins to an interim order passed by the Orissa High Court on July 15, which had temporarily stayed the nationwide release of Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Hearing a public interest litigation, the High Court had expressed concerns that the film’s release ahead of the Rath Yatra could disturb public order and hurt religious sentiments. The producer, Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd., subsequently approached the Supreme Court, which set aside the effective embargo and allowed the film to release after the completion of the festival.