The makers of Mahaprabhu Jagannath have moved the Supreme Court after the Orissa High Court stayed the film’s release a day before its nationwide theatrical debut.
New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The makers of the Odia film Mahaprabhu Jagannath have approached the Supreme Court after the Orissa High Court stayed the film’s release just a day before its scheduled nationwide theatrical debut.
The High Court’s interim order temporarily halted the release following petitions that reportedly raised objections related to the film’s depiction of religious themes associated with Lord Jagannath. The petitioners sought judicial intervention, arguing that certain aspects of the film required closer scrutiny before being screened publicly.
In response, the filmmakers filed an urgent appeal before the Supreme Court, requesting the stay order be set aside and seeking permission for the film’s nationwide release. The producers have argued that the project is a respectful cinematic portrayal based on faith and history and that the last-minute suspension has caused significant financial losses.
The unexpected legal setback has disappointed distributors and exhibitors, who had planned a wide release across multiple states. The film’s promotional campaign had been running for weeks ahead of its scheduled premiere.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter soon, with the filmmakers hoping for an expedited decision considering the release schedule and commercial implications.
The case has drawn attention from the film industry, highlighting the recurring legal challenges surrounding movies based on religious subjects and the balance between creative expression and public sentiment.
Until further judicial directions are issued, the release of Mahaprabhu Jagannath remains on hold.
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