Odisha Challenges Animated Portrayal of Lord Jagannath in Supreme Court Appeal
The Odisha government has voiced formal legal objections to the 'cartoonish' depiction of Lord Jagannath in a new animated feature. This latest petition seeks to modify a previous court order that permitted the film's national release.
Legal Friction Over Animated Interpretation
The Supreme Court of India scheduled a hearing for July 28, 2026, to address the Odisha government's grievances regarding the movie Mahaprabhu Jagannath. State counsel briefed a bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, arguing that the filmmakers presented the deity in a cartoon format that warrants judicial intervention. This oral mention seeks to alter a July 17 ruling which already delayed the film’s release until after the completion of the Jagannath Rath Yatra.
The Conflict Between Tradition and Creative Liberty
The legal dispute involves several key entities and conflicting viewpoints on religious accuracy:
- Production Background: Ele Animations, the studio behind the film, originally planned a July 17 premiere across approximately 300 theaters nationwide.
- Judicial History: The Orissa High Court initially prohibited the screening, despite the film receiving clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Supreme Court subsequently overturned that ban, setting a new release date for July 28.
- Scriptural Integrity: Opponents claim the narrative deviates from the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana.
- Judicial Perspective: Justice Nagarathna previously noted that devotion is an internal state, questioning if animated fiction could truly diminish piety or if it should be strictly bound by ancient texts rather than imagination.
Federal and Institutional Responses
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the Lord Jagannath Temple committee has independently approached the CBFC with their specific objections. Mehta suggested that the film certification body should be permitted to evaluate these concerns without external pressure. While the court previously attempted to strike a middle ground by delaying the screening until after the religious festival, the Odisha government remains firm in its stance against the visual style of the production, which was intended primarily for a younger audience.
Source: The Hindu — National
