The Supreme Court on Friday declined to permit the immediate release of the animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’, directing its makers to wait until the conclusion of the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri. While the producers had planned to release the film on its scheduled date, the apex court ruled that it should only be released after the religious festivities conclude on July 27.According to Livelaw. in, a Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan was hearing a plea filed by Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd., the producers of ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’. The petition challenged the July 15 order of the Orissa High Court, which had restrained the nationwide release of the film.Refusing to interfere with the High Court’s decision, Justice Nagarathna observed that the ongoing Rath Yatra should not coincide with the film’s release.“After the Rath Yatra, you can release it,” Justice Nagarathna remarked during the hearing. When the filmmakers requested permission to stick to the original release date, the Bench remained unconvinced. “You release it after July 31st,” Justice Nagarathna added.
Producers cite heavy financial investment
Appearing for the production house, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat argued that the makers had invested crores of rupees in the project and had already booked theatres across the country for the release.He further informed the court that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already cleared the animated feature. Stressing that the film is aimed at children, Kamat submitted that it is based on a television series that has been available for a long time.Drawing comparisons with mythological animated films, he pointed out that movies based on Lord Ganesha have also been released successfully, arguing that ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ belongs to a similar category.
Court prioritises religious sentiments
Despite the producer’s submissions, the Bench maintained that the release should not take place during the Rath Yatra celebrations. “During the Rath Yatra, don’t do it (release),” Justice Nagarathna observed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the State of Odisha during the proceedings.
Matter disposed after revised release timeline
Taking note of the submissions from both sides, the Supreme Court allowed the producers to release ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ after the Rath Yatra concludes and disposed of the petition.The matter had reached the apex court through an urgent mention made by Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat before the Chief Justice of India a day earlier. Although Kamat sought an immediate hearing since the film was originally scheduled for release on Friday, Chief Justice Surya Kant declined the request, observing that same-day listings are generally reserved only for matters of exceptional urgency, such as cases involving death penalty execution.