‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ Marks a Landmark Moment for Indian Animation, Launches the Ambitious ‘Sanatan Universe’
Mumbai: Indian animation is preparing for a major cultural and cinematic milestone with the upcoming release of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, the first full-length animated feature film based on Lord Jagannath. Developed by Ele Animations Pvt. Ltd., the film is set to become the foundation of an expansive interconnected storytelling franchise titled the Sanatan Universe.
The project marks a significant evolution for the studio, whose animated television series Jay Jagannath became widely popular among children and families after airing on Pogo and receiving millions of views per episode.
Now, the beloved world of Jagannath devotion is making its leap to the big screen through a grand multilingual theatrical release planned across more than 300 screens in Hindi, Odia and Telugu in collaboration with Cinepolis.
Blending devotional storytelling with large-scale animation, Mahaprabhu Jagannath aims to create a family-friendly cinematic experience rooted in Indian culture, spirituality and mythology. The film explores the sacred stories and traditions associated with Lord Jagannath while presenting timeless values through visually vibrant and emotionally engaging storytelling designed especially for younger audiences.
According to the makers, the film goes beyond conventional television animation by offering a rich cinematic experience that combines faith, heritage and adventure in a contemporary format.
Speaking about the vision behind the project, Durga Prasad Dalai said the journey began with a desire to bring the divine stories of Lord Jagannath into homes through animation. Following the overwhelming response to the television series, expanding the concept into a theatrical film felt like a natural next step.
He explained that the larger goal extends far beyond entertainment. The creators envision the Sanatan Universe as a long-term cultural ecosystem that will include films, television content, devotional music, educational initiatives and immersive spiritual experiences beginning in Puri.
The studio also plans to launch a dedicated devotional music label and a live-stream platform connected to the Jagannath Temple for devotees around the world.
As part of its future roadmap, Ele Animations is already developing additional projects inspired by Indian mythology and spiritual traditions. Upcoming titles include Mere Bhole based on Lord Shiva, along with interconnected stories centered on Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Kali and Goddess Durga. The studio also plans to introduce creative formats aimed at making the teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads more accessible and engaging for younger generations.
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Bhubaneswar, Ele Animations has grown into an internationally recognised animation studio with content distributed across more than 36 countries. Known for blending Indian mythology with modern storytelling techniques, the company has built a strong reputation for creating culturally rooted original intellectual properties with global appeal.
With Mahaprabhu Jagannath, the studio hopes to open a new chapter for Indian animation — one that combines world-class visual storytelling with India’s spiritual and cultural heritage on a global scale.
