The hugely controversial movie, formerly named Padmavati, has found big box office success in India despite a string of protests that have occasionally turned violent.
However Malaysian censors at the LPF ruled against the movie, reconfirming their stance earlier this week after an appeal.
The chairman said the film “touches on the sensitivities of Islam” and would not allow it to be screened as a result.
Interestingly, as noted by Variety, that’s a very different reason to why it’s stirred so much anger in India: there, it’s over a rumoured scene showing Padmavati romancing a Muslim prince.
Such a scene was nowhere to be seen when the movie eventually hit cinemas.
Deepika Padukone, who plays the lead role, has constantly stood by the production, even after a bounty was put on her head by a far-right politician.
“My parents are immensely proud,” she said, according to the Times of India.
“I saw that pride on their face. Mom and dad made a video call after their screening finished late at night and I was in my pyjama and going to bed. So for them, they just saw the film and then me…
“So, their expression was like, ‘Is she our daughter?’ I saw their expression and they were both brimming and glowing with pride.”
Padukone will be familiar to Western audiences after her role in last year’s xXx: Return of Xander Cage, for which she is rumoured to be returning for a sequel.
Padmaavat is out now.
