Malaysia bans Bollywood film Padmaavat over negative portrayal of Muslim ruler
Last month, India’s top court allowed the movie to be screened nationwide, despite efforts to ban it in two states
Malaysia has barred controversial Bollywood film Padmaavat from being screened in theatres, the home ministry said on Friday, citing its negative portrayal of a Muslim ruler.
The film has already attracted protests in India, after groups critical of the project accused its director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, of distorting history by portraying the Muslim ruler as the “lover” of Queen Padmavati of the Hindu Rajput warrior clan.
Last month, India’s top court allowed the film to be screened nationwide, despite moves to ban it in two states.
But in Muslim-majority Malaysia, authorities have instead rejected the portrayal of Sultan Alauddin Khilji and banned the film.
