Supreme Court allows release of animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ after Rath Yatra

The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath to be released nationwide on or after July 28 after the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra festivities conclude, Bar and Bench reported.

The bench was hearing a plea by the film’s producer challenging an interim order by the Orissa High Court that had blocked its release scheduled for Friday. The High Court had held that releasing the film during the Rath Yatra could hurt religious sentiments and disturb public order.

The Supreme Court noted that the festivities will conclude on July 27 and allowed the film to be released after that.

The court observed that the Central Board of Film Certification had cleared the film for release and that a television series based on the same topic was available on YouTube, Bar and Bench reported.

A row had erupted after the administration of the Jagannath temple in Puri and others objected to the film’s teaser over some depictions.

The producers screened the film before the temple administration and the Gajapati Maharaja, the titular king of Puri, during which the film’s makers were asked to make changes to some scenes.

However, the producers had scheduled the film's release on July 17 allegedly without making the changes, Bar and Bench reported.

A plea had been filed in the High Court seeking that the film’s certification be...

Read more