Odisha government objects in Supreme Court to depiction of Lord Jagannath in ‘cartoon form’ in animated film

The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Tuesday (July 29, 2026) the Odisha government’s objection to the depiction of Lord Jagannath in a “cartoon form” in the animated movie ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’.

Appearing before a Bench headed by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, the State government counsel mentioned orally that “they (film-makers) have presented the Lord in a cartoon form”.

The State has sought a modification of an earlier Supreme Court order permitting the film’s release after Jagannath Rath Yatra.

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

The court order had been passed on an appeal filed by the film’s makers, Ele Animations, against an Orissa High Court ban on its screening. The film was originally scheduled for release on July 17 in 300-odd theatres across the country. Significantly, the State High Court had stopped the release of the film even after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had cleared the movie

One of the parties opposing the screening had argued in the apex court that the film did not strictly adhere to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana.

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

“Devotion is something internal for everyone. Can an animated film bring down devotion? How can fiction be in accordance with the Skanda Purana and the Brahma Purana… It is only imagination at work,” Justice Nagarathna had addressed the Odisha government and trustees of the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri on July 17.

On Monday, the court reiterated the observation as to whether devotion for the Lord would be diminished in any manner by screening a film meant for children.

Justice Nagarathna said the court had previously balanced both religious sentiments and right to expression by directing the release of the film only after the Yatra.

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