Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Supreme Court clears Mahaprabhu Jagannath for August 28 release
There is a new animated movie about Lord Jagannath, called Mahaprabhu Jagannath.
It was made to teach children about devotion and cultural values.
Before the movie could come out, a court stopped it from being shown.
Someone had asked the court to check the movie's content first.
This made the movie team sad, because hundreds of cinemas were waiting for it.
The movie makers went to the Supreme Court of India, which is the highest court in the country.
The Supreme Court said the movie could be shown everywhere.
So now, the movie will come out in India on August 28.
Big movie company Cinepolis will show it in theaters.
The movie is special because it is the first animated feature film from the state of Odisha.
Animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath will release in India on August 28 after the Supreme Court cleared its nationwide release.
The Orissa High Court had earlier stayed the film's July 17 premiere following a PIL seeking judicial review of its content.
The Supreme Court's clearance cited the film's CBFC 'U' certification and the financial strain on over 300 booked theatres.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath is Odisha's first animated feature film and an extension of the hit series Jay Jagannath, which has over 100 crore YouTube views.
Producer Durga Prasad Dalai of Ele Animations thanked the court, and distributor Cinepolis will release the film pan-India.
- Who
- The animated film 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath,' produced by Durga Prasad Dalai of Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd. and distributed by Cinepolis.
- What
- The Supreme Court cleared the nationwide release of the animated film after a legal battle over its content.
- When
- The film will release on August 28; it was originally scheduled to premiere on July 17.
- Where
- Pan-India release in India; the case moved from the Orissa High Court to the Supreme Court.
- Why
- A PIL sought judicial review of the film's content, while the producers argued the CBFC 'U' certification and financial strain on over 300 booked theatres warranted release.
Petitioners
Filmmakers
Content review of the film
Petitioners
The PIL sought judicial review of the film's content before release, arguing a court should examine what would be shown to audiences.
Filmmakers
The producers argued the film holds a CBFC 'U' certification and was made with devotion, love, and respect for culture, so artistic freedom should be upheld.
Impact of the release delay
Petitioners
The interim stay protected the public from content that had not yet received judicial review.
Filmmakers
The stay caused financial strain on over 300 booked theatres and unnecessarily delayed a nationwide release already certified for all audiences.
- Release date
- August 28
- Originally premiering
- July 17
- Production company
- Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd.
- Producer
- Durga Prasad Dalai
- Distributor
- Cinepolis
- CBFC certification
- U
- Distinction
- Odisha's first animated feature film
- Related series
- Jay Jagannath (over 100 crore YouTube views)