Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal against ban on animated film for not being true to ‘Skanda Purana’
The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear an urgent appeal against an Orissa High Court ban on the animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath'. The lower court had banned the film for allegedly deviating from the religious text of the Skanda Purana, despite the film receiving certification from the Central Board of Film Certification.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing tension between creative freedom, religious sentiment, and judicial oversight in the Indian film industry.
The Supreme Court agreed to urgently hear on Friday (July 17, 2026) an appeal against an Orissa High Court ban on the release of an animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ for not strictly adhering to the religious text of Skanda Purana.
Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Thursday (July 16, 2026) in an oral mentioning, senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, representing the film’s makers, Ele Animations, said the movie was due for release on Friday (July 17, 2026) in 300-odd theatres across the country.
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