‘Want Us to Say No Films on Hindu Gods?’: Supreme Court Refuses to Ban ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ Animation Movie

The Supreme Court has rejected fresh pleas seeking a ban on the animated feature film Mahaprabhu Jagannath, firmly holding that courts cannot curtail artistic freedom or stifle creativity merely because a few individuals claim their religious sensitivities have been hurt. A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan refused to modify its previous order from July 17, which had permitted the producers to release the film following the conclusion of the Puri Rath Yatra on July 28.

Strongly dismissing objections that depicting Lord Jagannath in cartoon or animated form was inherently offensive, the top court cautioned that entertaining such hyper-sensitivity would effectively bring all artistic and cultural portrayals of Hindu mythology to a complete standstill across the country.

Court Warns Against Holding Artistic Freedom to Ransom

During the hearing, Justice BV Nagarathna expressed deep reservations over the growing trend of litigants approaching courts to block creative works simply because a depiction fails to align with their personal views.

"If there is such kind of sensibility, sensitivity, and 2–3 people file a writ petition, we will pass an order that in respect of Hindu Gods, Goddesses or Mythology, let there be no art form in India!" Justice Nagarathna orally remarked, pointing out that epic traditions like the Ramayana exist in diverse regional forms across the nation. "Every person has his own creativity. If we pass such an order, all Ramayana and Mahabharata on television will stop! No art in any form—television, creativity, painting, sculpture—if you want, we will pass such an order."

Justice R Mahadevan highlighted that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already scrutinized and granted a formal certificate for the movie’s release. The bench emphasized that animation serves an important role in introducing younger generations to cultural history, noting that "nobody is reading books now" and artists cannot be held to ransom over individual sensibilities.

Odisha Government and Temple Trust Cite Sensitivities

The applications seeking a stay on the release were filed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and a local devotee, challenging the apex court’s earlier green light. Odisha’s Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, representing the temple committee, argued that Lord Jagannath occupies a unique spiritual standing that cannot be treated as fictional entertainment.

"Lord Jagannath is not Doraemon. Lord Jagannath has been portrayed as Spider-Man," the Advocate General submitted, taking issue with specific visual sequences and alleging a breach of faith.

However, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamath, appearing for producer Ele Animations Pvt Ltd, countered that the film contained "not one word derogatory" toward the deity. He pointed out that the temple committee itself had previously praised the project as a laudable effort to educate children about the deity's traditions.

Final Decision Left to Director's Conscience

Declining to interfere with the scheduled rollout, the bench made it clear that while judicial intervention would not be used to suppress creative expression, the filmmaker retained the discretion to make voluntary edits if they deemed fit.

"If your conscience feels there is anything that needs to be taken out, do it. The Court can't sit in judgment," Justice Nagarathna observed, reiterating that the animated work in no way diminishes reverence or devotion toward Lord Jagannath.

The Supreme Court’s decision marks the end of a multi-stage legal battle over the film. On July 15, the Orissa High Court had stalled the movie's release over potential public order concerns ahead of the Rath Yatra. That stay was subsequently overturned by the Supreme Court on July 17, which allowed the theatrical release once the annual Puri festival concluded on July 28.