Supreme Court has refused to allow immediate release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath During the ongoing Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra. However, the court allowed the filmmakers to release the film on or after July 28, after the annual festival ends.
Supreme Court allows release of Mahaprabhu Jagannath after Rath Yatra, issues notice on Odisha HC ban
The top court, hearing an appeal challenging the interim order of the Orissa High Court staying the release of the film, also issued notice to the Centre, Odisha government, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Sri Jagannath Temple Administration and other respondents.
High Court had banned the release of the film
Orissa High Court had earlier stayed the nationwide release Mahaprabhu JagannathGiven that the film does not strictly follow the religious text Skanda Purana. The interim order came just a day before the film’s scheduled theatrical release.
Challenging the decision, the producers moved the Supreme Court seeking immediate relief.
Makers cite financial losses, CBFC certification
Senior advocate Devdutt Kamat, appearing for the film producers, urged the Supreme Court to hear the case immediately. he submitted it Mahaprabhu Jagannath is an animated film primarily focused on children and based on the life and legacy of Lord Jagannath.
Kamat argued that the High Court stayed the release only on the grounds that the film was not made in strict compliance Skanda Purana. He also told the court that the CBFC has already given the film a U certificate under Section 5 of the Cinematograph Act, allowing it to be released in Hindi, Odia and Telugu.
The senior advocate further pointed out that the High Court order was uploaded only at 9 pm on the eve of the scheduled release, leaving little time for the producers to find a legal remedy.
According to reports, the makers have invested crores of rupees in the project and plan to screen it in over 300 theaters across the country. Terming the High Court order as a hasty decision, Kamat also argued that the PIL seeking stay was heard some time before the release date.
Supreme Court issued notice
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre, Odisha government, CBFC, temple administration and other concerned parties on their appeal against the High Court’s interim order refusing to allow the release of the film during the Rath Yatra.
With the latest direction, Mahaprabhu Jagannath Subject to any further orders in the matter, it can now be released in theaters on or after July 28.
