Giving a major decision on Friday, July 17, the Supreme Court has given conditional approval for the release of the animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ based on Lord Jagannath after the end of the annual Rath Yatra festival. The top court refused to allow the immediate release of the film during the Rath Yatra, but gave relief to the filmmakers that they can bring the film to theaters on or after July 28. Along with this, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Central Government, Odisha Government, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and other concerned parties including Shri Jagannath Temple Administration and sought their response on the petition challenging the interim order of the Odisha High Court, under which the release of the film was completely banned.
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Delhi screening of ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ was postponed
According to ANI, the High Court had stayed the release in view of the objections raised over the portrayal of Lord Jagannath in the film. The Court believed that detailed judicial scrutiny of these objections was necessary before screening. The film was originally scheduled to be released in theaters on July 17. The Delhi screening of the film, which was to be held on Thursday, July 16, was also postponed.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana agreed to hear the petition challenging the high court order. Senior advocate Devdutt Kamat, appearing for the film producers, had demanded an immediate hearing. He had requested to hear the matter on Thursday, but the bench listed it for Friday.
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What is the controversy related to the animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’?
The high court’s interim order came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Mahesh Kumar Sahu of Angul, Dr Pramod Kumar Acharya of Puri and Umashankar Acharya of Nimapada. The petitioners had requested for cancellation of the CBFC certification of the film and a stay on its public screening in Odisha.
The PIL objected to the fictional depiction of Lord Jagannath’s childhood, dialogues, exploits and war scenes in the film. The petition states that these depictions are not in line with the Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana and long-standing traditions associated with the Jagannath temple, PTI reported. The High Court had earlier said that the film allegedly did not strictly follow the religious texts of Skanda Purana, due to which an interim stay was granted on its release till further hearing.
The new release date of the film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ directed by Shripad Warkhedkar and produced by Elle Animations is expected to be announced soon.
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