Mahesh Kumar Sahu v. ELE Animations Pvt. Ltd., (Connected MA No. 2219 of 2026) [order dated July 29, 2026]
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to modify its earlier order permitting the release of the animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath after the Rath Yatra festivities, dismissing an application filed by the State of Odisha.
Appearing for the State, the Odisha Advocate General submitted that the CBFC certificate was reviewable and informed the Court that the temple committee had objected to the film after a special screening. He further submitted that the producer had agreed to delete one portion and modify the film.Justice B.V. Nagarathna, however, observed that courts could not curb artistic expression because a few individuals claimed to be offended.
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“If there are such kind of sensitivities and two-three people go on filing writ petitions, we will pass an order that in respect of Hindu gods and goddesses let there be no art form in India… This is creativity…Because there are two-three sensitive people in the country who are filing these cases, we will say there shall be no creativity, no literature… Every place has a story of Rama, Mahabharata in their own way. Animation film is for the purpose of children.”
When Justice R. Mahadevan asked why the suggested corrections could not be accepted, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the producer, denied that any agreement had been reached and submitted that the committee had walked out of the special screening. He also stated that the film did not portray the deity in a derogatory manner.
Justice Nagarathna observed that the producer was free to make voluntary edits if he wished, but reiterated that the court cannot sit in judgment over art. Consequently, the court refused to interfere with its earlier order.