The film may soon appear on the Disney+ Hotstar streaming service where parental controls are an important feature.
Sources close to the distributor says that Disney respects local censorship guidelines and has withdrawn its attempt to have the film approved for theatrical release. It is understood that the LPF asked for edits to the film which Disney refused. The country’s censorship authority, the LPF, takes a strongly negative stance against any film containing themes, dialogue, or scenes involving “homosexual and unnatural sex.” It has also been confirmed that the film will also not release in Malaysia, the Southeast Asian country that is becoming less aligned with western values. In this case Disney was either unwilling or unable make edits requested by local censors. In the West Asia region movies concerning or containing sex, homosexuality and religious issues are routinely cut to comply with censorship rules. Nether Italia Film, which distributes Disney films in the region, nor Disney in London responded to requests for comment.Ĭensorship in Saudi Arabia has recently also kept local audiences from watching Marvel’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” due to the inclusion of a gay character as well as Marvel’s “Eternals,” after Disney refused to make edits that included the pic’s same-sex kiss and also “West Side Story,” because it features a transgender character.