Animated ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ draws packed houses, wins audience hearts

Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath, based on Lord Jagannath, has opened to an encouraging response from audiences across Odisha following its release in Odia, Hindi and Telugu.

The film, described as the country’s first animated movie centred on Lord Jagannath, is being screened across theatres in Odisha and has particularly attracted families bringing their children to watch the devotional story on the big screen.

The film has reportedly received an 8.8/10 rating on IMDb, while other entertainment platforms have rated it around 8-9 out of 10, praising its storytelling, animation and visual effects. IMDb describes it as a powerful devotional entertainer that has exceeded expectations, while entertainment and lifestyle publication Koimoi has suggested that viewers who enjoyed Mahavatar Narsimha are likely to appreciate the film.

One of the biggest audience responses has been witnessed during the scene depicting Lord Jagannath’s entry on screen. The moment has prompted loud applause and cheers in theatres, creating an emotional atmosphere among viewers.

The film’s promotional activities outside theatres have also drawn attention. A mascot of Lord Balabhadra has emerged as an attraction, with audiences enthusiastically taking selfies with it.

The strong response has translated into bookings, with a large number of shows in major cities across Odisha reportedly seeing heavy bookings through Sunday. The film has consequently emerged as a notable family attraction during its opening days.

Beyond entertainment, Mahaprabhu Jagannath seeks to introduce mythological and devotional stories to younger audiences through animation. Its makers have positioned the film as a family-friendly medium through which parents can introduce children to stories rooted in spirituality and devotion.

The voice performances by popular and veteran artistes including Biren Mishra, Bulu Panda, RJ Komal and Uddayan have added emotional depth to the characters. The soulful background score, particularly appealing to Odia audiences, further complements the narrative.

With its computer graphics, elaborate animation and imaginative visual sequences, the film has attempted to present the story of Lord Jagannath in a format aimed at audiences across age groups.