SC clears all-India release of animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' after Rath Yatra festivities
The Supreme Court has cleared the nationwide release of the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' after July 28, following the Rath Yatra festivities, overturning an Orissa High Court stay. The film, based on a YouTube web series and CBFC certified, faced objections regarding its fictional portrayal of Lord Jagannath's childhood and dialogues, which petitioners claimed were inconsistent with religious texts.
Why it matters
This ruling addresses the intersection of artistic freedom, religious sentiment, and judicial oversight, particularly concerning the portrayal of religious figures in media. It sets a precedent for how courts balance cultural sensitivities with creative expression in India.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the nationwide release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath on or after July 28, after the conclusion of Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra festivities.A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan noted that the film is based on a web series that has already been released on YouTube and that it has received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).The producers had approached the apex court after the Orissa High Court stayed the film's release, which was originally scheduled for Friday.During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Odisha government, informed the court that the Rath Yatra had commenced on Thursday in Odisha and other parts of the country.The Orissa high court had earlier observed that objections raised over the film's portrayal of Lord Jagannath required detailed judicial scrutiny before it could be screened, PTI reported.The interim stay…
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