Padmaavat now banned in Malaysia

With on-going controversies with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat, a new one has come in - it has now been banned in Malaysia for allegedly portraying Islam in a bad light.

The negative role of Sultan Alauddin Khilji in the film "gave a bad image of Islam through the role played by a (Muslim) sultan."

"He is portrayed as a Sultan who is arrogant, cruel, inhumane, devious with all kinds of trickery, unreliable and who does not fully practice Islamic teachings," the ministry said in a statement.

Actor Ranveer Singh essays the role of Sultan Alauddin Khilji, the 13th-century ruler of the Khilji dynasty, in the film.

The 14th century period drama focuses on the tale of Muslim King Alauddin Khilji, Rajput ruler Ratan Singh, and Hindu queen Padmavati.

On Tuesday, Malaysia's Film Censorship Board stated that the movie could "not approved for screening", while hearing an appeal lodged by the film's distributors, according to media reports.

Malaysia's Film Appeal Committee had also rejected an appeal by the movie's distributors in the country to lift the ban.

Bollywood films are extremely popular in Malaysia among Indians, who make up a considerable chunk of the country's population.

After massive protests in northern and western India, Padmaavat was released in India on January 25. It crossed the Rs 100 crore mark within four days at the box office. It has collected Rs 192.5 crores so far and is inching towards the Rs 200 crore mark.

Muslims make up 60 percent of multi-ethnic Malaysia's 32 million population.