“Padmaavat” banned in Malaysia

Malaysia has barred controversial Indian period drama 'Padmaavat” from receiving a theatrical release. The announcement by Malaysia's National Film Censorship Board (LPF) was made on Saturday.

Its “not approved” ruling gives no explanation for the ban. But local media quoted LPF chairman Mohd Zamberi Abdul Aziz as saying: “The storyline of the film touches on the sensitivities of Islam. That in itself is a matter of grave concern in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country.” The film as directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali sees a Muslim sultan waging war in order to be able to win a beautiful Hindu princess of the Rajput warrior class.

In India, the film was banned for some two months after protests by Rajputs, but eventually was released on Thursday. India's censors required a title change and a disclaimer that explained that the film was not based on historical fact. The distributor in Malaysia is expected to appeal the LPF decision to a separately constituted Film Appeals Committee on Jan 30.

Malaysia has a history of banning movies that are widely distributed elsewhere in the world. Last year it banned Disney's “Beauty and the Beast”, before relenting and allowing it a PG13 certificate. Malaysia last year also prosecuted filmmaker Lena Hendry, for holding a private screening of a documentary “No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka.”

Source: Variety