Odisha government moves Supreme Court against depiction of Lord Jagannath in ‘cartoon form’ in animated film

A scene from the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Photo: Special arrangement

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Odisha government’s plea on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) against the depiction of Lord Jagannath in a “cartoonish form” in the animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’.

Appearing before a bench headed by Justice BV Nagarathna, the state government counsel verbally mentioned that “they (the filmmakers) have presented the Lord in cartoon form”.

The state had sought modification of the Supreme Court’s earlier order to allow the release of the film after the Jagannath Rath Yatra.

On 17 July, the court allowed the exhibition of the film after the completion of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra on 27 July 2026. The court ordered that the film could be released on or after 28 July.

The injunction was passed on an appeal filed by the film’s makers, Ele Animations, against a ban by the Orissa High Court. The film was originally scheduled to be released on July 17 in 300 theaters across the country. Significantly, the state high court stayed the film’s release even after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cleared the film.

One of the parties opposing the screening argued in the Supreme Court that the film did not strictly follow Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana.

The court had earlier assured that animated fiction cannot diminish piety.

“Devotion is something internal to everyone. Can an animated film reduce devotion? How can fiction be consistent with Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana… Only imagination works,” Justice Nagarathna addressed the Odisha government and the trustees of the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri on July 17.

On Monday, the court reiterated the reminder of whether devotion to the Lord will be diminished in any way by showing a film intended for children.

Justice Nagarathna said the court had earlier balanced religious sentiments as well as the right to expression by directing the release of the film only after the Yatra.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the temple committee had moved the CBFC independently with its objections. He urged the court to allow the CBFC to decide the issue independently.

Published – 28 Jul 2026 12:03 IST