Supreme Court Clears Release of 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' After Rath Yatra, Sets July 28 as Earliest Release Date
The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath to filmmakers to provide them relief after the movie's release was blocked by the Orissa High Court after objections from the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee.
It ruled that the film should be released on or after July 28, once the annual Rath Yatra celebrations conclude, to balance devotees’ wishes and filmmakers’ right to publish the movie.
The movie was scheduled to be released earlier this week, but was postponed after religious organisations objected to its portrayal of Lord Jagannath and claimed some scenes were fictional and not in line with Hindu scriptures.
A July 28 release date has been set by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, when hearing the appeal against the Orissa High Court's interim order, observed that the film could be released after the end of the Rath Yatra.
The Bench stated:
- "We permit the film to be exhibited on or after July 28.
- You may release it any day after the 27th."
The judges also said the controversy had only raised curiosity about it.
"Everybody will be eager to see the movie now… more box office for you," the Bench said at the hearing.
Furthermore, simply watching a movie would not destroy anyone’s faith, the court said.
"The release of the film will not affect your devotion to your God."
CBFC Clearance Highlighted
As for the producers, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat argued that the film had already received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
He informed the court that the High Court's stay order was uploaded late on the eve of the scheduled release, leaving the producers with little time to respond.
As filmmakers said, more than 300 theatres had already booked the movie, and postponing its release would incur huge financial losses, since crores of rupees had been invested in the project.
The Supreme Court also noted that the animated web series on which the film is based has been available on YouTube for nearly two years without major objections.
Why was the Film opposed?
The affair started when the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) asked to put off the release date of the film.
The committee said that the movie conveys a fictional story about Lord Jagannath that does not fit in the Skanda Purana or other Hindu scriptures.
According to the temple administration, a special screening was organised in the presence of Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Dev, who voiced his concerns over some aspects of the film.
The temple committee advised the filmmakers to have the content reviewed by religious scholars appointed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) before releasing it to the public.
Notices issued to the Centre and the Odisha Government
The Supreme Court also sent notices to the respondents, including:
- Central Government
- Odisha Government
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- Shree Jagannath Temple Administration
- Other concerned authorities
The court will keep hearing the matter and will let the film be released after the end of the religious festival.
Relief for the Makers
The Supreme Court’s decision gives producers a big relief, as they had warned there would be great financial losses if the stay is not lifted.
By allowing the release after the Rath Yatra, the court attempted to strike a balance between respect for religious sentiments and preservation of artistic expression that has already been legally certified.
The verdict will pave the way for an expanded nationwide theatrical release of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on July 28, as a result of which the future of one of the year's most anticipated animated films will now be at peace.
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