Orissa High Court Bars Release of Animated Film “Mahaprabhu Jagannath”, Citing Religious Sentiment and Rath Yatra Timing

A Division Bench at Cuttack restrained Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. from releasing its animated film on Lord Jagannath, finding its fictional depictions potentially counterproductive during the Rath Yatra period.

The High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, on 15 July 2026, restrained Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. from releasing its animated film titled Mahaprabhu Jagannath on 17 July 2026 or on any subsequent date without leave of the court. The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman in a public interest litigation filed by Mahesh Kumar Sahu and others. The bench found that the film contained fictional depictions of Lord Jagannath at odds with the Skandha Purana, the Brahma Purana, and established temple traditions, and that releasing it immediately before the Rath Yatra — commencing 16 July 2026 — risked provoking unrest among a large congregation of devotees.

The PIL and What It Sought

The petition, registered as W.P.(C) No. 21986 of 2026 along with I.A. No. 13262 of 2026, was not listed for hearing on 15 July 2026. On being mentioned, it was placed in a Special List and taken up together with the connected W.P.(C) No. 21693 of 2026.

The petitioners sought a writ of mandamus directing the Central Board of Film Certification to revoke Certificate No. DIL/1/12026-CUT, and a direction restraining the opposite parties from allowing public exhibition, screening, or release of the film within the State of Odisha.

Mr. Manoj Kumar Mishra, Senior Advocate, appeared with Mr. Sambit Kumar Patri for the petitioners. Mr. Debasish Tripathy, Additional Government Advocate, appeared for the State (Opposite Parties 1 and 2). Mr. Prasanna Kumar Parhi, Deputy Solicitor General of India, along with Mr. Asutosh Mohanty, Central Government Counsel, appeared for Opposite Party 3. Mr. Gautam Mukherjee, Senior Advocate, along with Mr. Sidhant Dwibedi and Mr. Supratik Acharya, appeared for Opposite Party 6, Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. Notices were waived by all parties except Opposite Parties 4 and 5, to whom notice was directed by speed post with acknowledgement due, with requisites to be filed within three working days.

Sequence of Events Leading to the Petition

On 6 June 2026, Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. published a teaser on its YouTube channel announcing the release of the animated film on 10 July 2026. The teaser generated widespread dissent across Odisha, including from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration. This compelled the producer to screen the film in an auditorium in the presence of the Temple Administration and the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri.

At that screening, several objections were raised to the depiction of certain incidents said to be opposed to established religious traditions and the spiritual history of Lord Jagannath. The Indian Express reported on the screening and the objections raised. The producer, the bench noted, assured those present that necessary changes would be made consistent with established religious belief and cultural practice.

Without making the changes that had been suggested, the producer then announced a fresh release date of 17 July 2026.

The Objectionable Content as Identified in the PIL

The petitioners identified specific portions of the film as objectionable. The film portrays a fictional childhood and personal adventures of Lord Jagannath not found in the Skandha Purana or the Brahma Purana. The animated character playing Lord Jagannath is depicted speaking and behaving in an invented manner inconsistent with devotional literature and temple traditions. Fictional battle and adventure sequences involving Lord Jagannath were also included.

The petitioners contended that these depictions tarnish the faith of devotees and could invite large-scale commotion.

The Producer's Position

Ele Animations took the position that the first screening carried a disclaimer clarifying the film was a fictional story with no nexus to reality and no intention to undermine devotees' faith. The producer argued that Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of speech and expression, entitling every citizen to express ideas and thoughts, and that there could be no invasion of those fundamental rights.

It was also contended that the petitioners had come forward at the last moment with what the producer characterised as a sinister motive to halt the film's release, and that considerable sums had already been invested in the project.

How the Bench Reasoned

The Division Bench accepted that a film, as a medium of expression, is entitled to the protection of Article 19(1)(a). It did not dispute that. The bench's reasoning turned on the need to balance that right against the restrictions permissible under Article 19(2).

The bench observed that when expression takes the form of a film screened to the public, its impact must be judged on an overall basis. Unlike the printed word, a film carries immediate influence and can affect thoughts and actions. Where a film is intricately connected to religious belief, that impact can be sharper — capable of shattering sentiments and emotion in ways that disturb social peace.

The bench also drew attention to the timing of the proposed release. The Rath Yatra (Car/Chariot Festival) was set to commence on 16 July 2026, the day before the film's announced release. A large conglomeration of devotees would be present. The producer, despite having been told at the private screening in the presence of the Gajapati Maharaja and the Temple Administration that changes were needed, chose to announce the release without making those changes.

The bench characterised the release plan as “counterproductive” in those circumstances. It recorded that the objectionable content had been “vividly and lucidly narrated” in the PIL and required a detailed examination after exchange of affidavits. Interim restraint was warranted to preserve that examination.

Order

The Division Bench restrained Opposite Party 6 — Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. — from releasing the animated film titled Mahaprabhu Jagannath on 17 July 2026 or thereafter, without leave of the court or until the next date of hearing, whichever is earlier.

Notice was directed to be issued to Opposite Parties 4 and 5 by speed post with acknowledgement due, with requisites to be filed within three working days.

The matter is listed for hearing on 5 August 2026, together with W.P.(C) No. 21693 of 2026.