The Supreme Court blocked the theatrical debut of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on its scheduled July 17 release date.
A bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan ordered the filmmakers to delay the launch until the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra ended on July 27.
Finally, the animated film is releasing this month.
The much-awaited animated feature Mahaprabhu Jagannath will finally hit theatres this month. The release aligns directly with the festive occasions of Raksha Bandhan and Balaram Jayanti.
For the unversed, Balaram Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Balaram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath release date
Produced by ELE Animations, Mahaprabhu Jagannath is set to hit the screens on August 28, 2026.
The creators designed the film to make India's spiritual and cultural heritage accessible to children and families through animation.
The film blends mythology, fantasy, adventure, devotion and philosophy. It actively explores core themes of faith, courage, compassion, humility and the power of devotion.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath story
The story follows Jagan and Balram. Their travels transport viewers to a world of spiritual quests filled with supernatural encounters and sacred wonders.
"There are certain moments that feel like they have been decided for you," said producer Durga Prasad Dalai. "After everything this film has gone through, to finally see 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' reaching theatres on Raksha Bandhan and Balaram Jayanti feels like His blessing"
"Balaram Jayanti is a deeply significant occasion," Dalai said. "We have always wanted to make a film that allows children and families to experience the world of Mahaprabhu Jagannath together, and there could not be a more beautiful time for that journey to begin"
"We have done our part with complete faith and sincerity, and now we leave the film in Mahaprabhu’s hands," Dalai added.
About Mahaprabhu Jagannath film row
Earlier, the Supreme Court deferred the release of the animated film until after the Rath Yatra ended. The order followed an Orissa High Court ban triggered by a public interest litigation claiming the film depicts fictional episodes inconsistent with sacred Puranas.
The apex court on July 29 refused to halt the release of the film. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan dismissed an application from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration seeking to modify the court's July 17 release order.
The bench strongly defended artistic freedom, stating courts cannot curb creativity due to objections from a few individuals.
