SC blocks 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' release, directs makers to wait till Rath Yatra ends July 27
Synopsis
The Supreme Court refused to override the Odisha High Court's ban on 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath', telling producers to simply wait until the Puri Rath Yatra ends on 27 July. The ruling leaves the deeper scriptural dispute — whether the film conforms to the Skanda Purana — entirely unresolved, even as producers count losses on a 300-screen pan-India rollout that never happened.
Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court on 17 July declined to permit the release of animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' on its scheduled date.
The Bench of Justice B.V.
Nagarathna and Justice R.
Mahadevan directed producers to release the film only after 27 July , when the Puri Rath Yatra concludes.
The Odisha High Court had earlier restrained the film for allegedly not conforming to the Skanda Purana .
The film holds a 'U' certificate from the CBFC in Hindi , Odia , and Telugu and was planned for release on over 300 screens pan-India.
Producer Durga Prasad Dalai and senior advocate Devadatt Kamath cited losses of crores of rupees due to the ban.
The Supreme Court on Friday, 17 July refused to permit the theatrical release of the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' on its originally scheduled date, directing producers to hold the release until after the conclusion of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri on 27 July. The ruling effectively delays what was planned as a pan-India launch across more than 300 screens in Hindi, Odia, and Telugu.
What the Court Said
A Bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan declined to stay the Odisha High Court's earlier order restraining the film's release. Noting that the Rath Yatra had commenced on Thursday and would run through 27 July, the Bench was direct in its guidance to the petitioners.
'During the Rath Yatra, don't do it (release). After the Rath Yatra, you can release it,' Justice Nagarathna observed from the Bench. The apex court thereafter disposed of the plea, permitting the release after 27 July.
Why the Film Was Blocked
The Odisha High Court had restrained the film's release on the ground that its content did not conform to the Skanda Purana — a foundational scriptural text for Lord Jagannath's traditions. Producers had moved the Supreme Court challenging that restraint, arguing the film was a children's animated feature made with 'utmost honesty, sincerity and devotion' towards Lord Jagannath and his devotees.
Senior advocate Devadatt Kamath, appearing for the producers, submitted that the ban had already caused losses running into crores of rupees. He also noted that the film had received a 'U' certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for all three language versions, arguing that audiences should be allowed to watch and judge for themselves.
About the Film
Produced by Durga Prasad Dalai under the banner Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. and directed by Shripad Warkhedkar, 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' is positioned as a family entertainer built around the life and teachings of Lord Jagannath. The project follows the success of the television animated series 'Jay Jagannath', of which the film is described as an extension.
Producers had maintained the film was created with the same devotional intent as the series and had secured CBFC clearance across Hindi, Odia, and Telugu — making the High Court's restraint order particularly contentious from a certification standpoint.
What Happens Next
With the Supreme Court disposing of the plea and clearing a post-27 July release, the makers can now plan a revised launch once the Rath Yatra concludes. The decision sidesteps the deeper scriptural dispute — whether the film's depiction aligns with the Skanda Purana — leaving that question unresolved for now. How quickly the producers can reschedule a 300-screen rollout after the festival period will determine the film's commercial prospects.
Point of View
Regardless of certification. The apex court's disposal of the plea without addressing that constitutional tension is a missed opportunity. For producers, the post-Rath Yatra window is narrow and commercially risky; festival-season momentum is hard to rebuild once a release stumbles at the gate.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the release of 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' blocked?
The Odisha High Court restrained the film's release on the ground that its content did not conform to the Skanda Purana. The Supreme Court declined to override that order during the ongoing Puri Rath Yatra, directing the makers to release the film only after 27 July.
When can 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' now be released?
The Supreme Court has permitted the film's release after 27 July 2025, once the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri concludes. The apex court disposed of the producers' plea with this direction.
Has 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' received CBFC certification?
Yes. The film holds a 'U' certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Hindi, Odia, and Telugu. Producers argued before the Supreme Court that CBFC clearance meant audiences should be allowed to watch and decide for themselves.
Who made 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' and what is it about?
The film is produced by Durga Prasad Dalai under Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. and directed by Shripad Warkhedkar. It is a children's animated feature based on the life and teachings of Lord Jagannath, and is an extension of the television series 'Jay Jagannath'.
What financial impact has the ban had on the producers?
Senior advocate Devadatt Kamath, appearing for the producers, submitted before the Supreme Court that the restraint order had caused losses running into crores of rupees. The film was originally scheduled for a pan-India release on over 300 screens.
