Controversial Bollywood movie PADMAAVAT, which has released in India after a struggle, is now barred from opening in cinemas in Malaysia over concerns regarding "sensitivities of Islam".

Malaysia's National Film Censorship Board (LPF) has barred filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's PADMAAVAT from getting released in the country.

LPF chairman Mohd Zamberi Abdul Aziz said in a statement that the storyline of the film itself is of grave concern as "Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country", reports variety.com.

"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," Aziz said.

Based on 16th century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's poem "Padmavat", the film was caught in a row in India after protests from a Rajput outfit Shri Rajput Karni Sena over allegations that the movie distorts historical facts and dents the pride of the Rajput community. The film was eventually released in India on January 25.

Post-release, the film has had mixed reviews. It has been criticised by some sections for glorifying not just Jauhar and also for showing Alauddin Khilji as a demon-like figure.

The distributor in Malaysia is expected to appeal the LPF decision to a separately constituted Film Appeals Committee on Tuesday.

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" because of its gay moment, before relenting and allowing it a PG13 certificate.

The country also prosecuted filmmaker Lena Hendry last year, for holding a private screening of a documentary "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka."

Rights advocacy groups say that Malaysia's censorship laws are used in an arbitrary fashion, and that they are stunting Malaysian filmmaking, which is losing market share and is increasingly focused on genre titles, variety.com said.

Controversial Bollywood movie PADMAAVAT, which has released in India after a struggle, is now barred from opening in cinemas in Malaysia over concerns regarding "sensitivities of Islam".

Malaysia's National Film Censorship Board (LPF) has barred filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's PADMAAVAT from getting released in the country.

LPF chairman Mohd Zamberi Abdul Aziz said in a statement that the storyline of the film itself is of grave concern as "Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country", reports variety.com.

"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," Aziz said.

Based on 16th century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's poem "Padmavat", the film was caught in a row in India after protests from a Rajput outfit Shri Rajput Karni Sena over allegations that the movie distorts historical facts and dents the pride of the Rajput community. The film was eventually released in India on January 25.

Post-release, the film has had mixed reviews. It has been criticised by some sections for glorifying not just Jauhar and also for showing Alauddin Khilji as a demon-like figure.

The distributor in Malaysia is expected to appeal the LPF decision to a separately constituted Film Appeals Committee on Tuesday.

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" because of its gay moment, before relenting and allowing it a PG13 certificate.

The country also prosecuted filmmaker Lena Hendry last year, for holding a private screening of a documentary "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka."

Rights advocacy groups say that Malaysia's censorship laws are used in an arbitrary fashion, and that they are stunting Malaysian filmmaking, which is losing market share and is increasingly focused on genre titles, variety.com said.

Last year Sushant Singh Rajput just had one release, RAABTA but this year the actor has quite a few interesting projects lined up. After wrapping up KEDARNATH’s shoot the actor is now started working on his next project directed by Abhishek Chaubey.

Tentatively titled SON CHIRIYA, Sushant’s next revolves around the Chambal dacoits of the 1970s. Reportedly Sushant will be joined by Bhumi Pednekar, his co-star in the film soon on this two month long schedule in Chambal.

Recently we came across a picture of Sushant in a complete dacoit get up and we must say that the 31-year-old actor is almost unrecognizable in this on the set still. Apart from authentic looks, the actors will also be working on their Bundelkhandi dialect as a part of preparation for this film.

Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, SON CHIRIYA also stars power house performer Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana and Ranvir Shorey in pivotal roles.

Last year Sushant Singh Rajput just had one release, RAABTA but this year the actor has quite a few interesting projects lined up. After wrapping up KEDARNATH’s shoot the actor is now started working on his next project directed by Abhishek Chaubey.

Tentatively titled SON CHIRIYA, Sushant’s next revolves around the Chambal dacoits of the 1970s. Reportedly Sushant will be joined by Bhumi Pednekar, his co-star in the film soon on this two month long schedule in Chambal.

Recently we came across a picture of Sushant in a complete dacoit get up and we must say that the 31-year-old actor is almost unrecognizable in this on the set still. Apart from authentic looks, the actors will also be working on their Bundelkhandi dialect as a part of preparation for this film.

Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, SON CHIRIYA also stars power house performer Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana and Ranvir Shorey in pivotal roles.

Shahid Kapoor's much talked about film PADMAAVAT released last week and the actor says that now that the film is out of his system, he can focus on other projects.

Shahid surprised his fans by visiting Chandan theatre here on Sunday.

The actor paid a visit to find out audience reaction to PADMAAVAT and during an interaction, he was asked about his next film BATTI GUL METER CHALU to which he replied: "Shree Narayan Singh in TOILET: EK PREM KATHA talked about issues women faced with open defecation. Now he has chosen the electricity issue which will make the film very relatable to the common man."

"Now, that PADMAAVAT has released and is out of my system, I can focus on other projects."

The actor also revealed that the BATTI GUL METER CHALU team will begin shooting soon.

"We will start shooting for it in the next 10 days. We have already started table reads for the film. The story is based in Uttarakhand so I will be using a certain accent and dialect for the film. After playing a King, I will be seen as a small city lawyer. Apart from me, Shraddha Kapoor and Yami Gautam are part of the film," he said.

Shahid essayed the role of Maharawal Ratan Singh in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directorial.

When asked why he decided to take the role, he said: "There are some films that are very close to your heart and then there are some films which you have to experience with other people. I did this character of Ratan Singh for people because I wanted people to know more about him, about his valour and his sacrifices."

Bollywood actress Swara Bhaskar on Saturday called Bhansali out for the glorification of Sati and Jauhar in his film in an open letter.

When asked to comment on the same, Shahid said: "I haven't read it yet. We have been busy with other things, but I think this isn't the right time. PADMAAVAT is representing the film industry and it's freedom of expression."

"It has been a tough battle for us to be able to bring forth the film to the audience. It feels great to receive support from the entire industry but it feels odd that someone said something on a personal level. That's OK though as everyone has the right to say what they want but I haven't read it yet."

In the film, Deepika Padukone stars as Rani Padmavati while Ranveer Singh plays Sultan Alauddin Khilji. Aditi Rao Hydari, Jim Sarbh, Raza Murad and Anupriya Goenka feature in supporting roles.

Akshay Kumar – Bollywood’s new age on screen icon of patriotism is likely to star in a south remake but this time it’s ‘scary’.

The actor who is awaiting the response of his highly awaited PAD MAN based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social activist from Tamil Nadu, may do the remake of Tamil horror film KANCHANA 2 .

Written, produced and directed by Raghava Lawrence, KANCHANA 2 is a 2015 Tamil horror comedy. The third installment in the Muni series, the movie featured Raghava Lawrence, Taapsee Pannu and Nithya Menen in lead roles.

According to south based trade analyst Ramesh Bala, Akshay Kumar may do this remake. Ramaesh took to his social media handle and posted, “@akshaykumar to remake @offl_Lawrence – @taapsee 's 2015 Blockbuster #Kanchana2 in Hindi.

Apart from doing remakes of action packed blockbusters from south like GABBAR IS BACK (remake of Tamil film RAMANAA), BOSS (Malayalam film POKKRI RAJA), ROWDY RATHORE (remake of Telugu film VIKRAMARKUDU), Akshay has featured in a horror comedy earlier in BHOOL BHULAIYA – the remake of Malayalam horror comedy MANICHITRATHAZHU.

The year 2018 will see Akshay Kumar in diverse avatar; in GOLD, the actor will be seen playing the life of hockey player Balbir Singh Sr on screen and in the highly awaited 2.0 the Bollywood icon of patriotism, true virtues and fitness will be seen logging heads with the superstar Rajiniknath in this mega budget magnum opus.

An official confirmation on this from Akshay Kumar is awaited.