KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s first gay-themed romance movie has become a swift financial success despite earlier worries that it might repel Muslim-majority audiences.
The Malay-language film’s producer says “Dalam Botol” made slightly more than 1 million ringgit ($330,000) in five days. Its production and marketing costs totaled 970,000 ringgit ($320,000).
The movie depicts a man who gets a sex change operation to satisfy his male lover.
“Dalam Botol” is considered a breakthrough because government censors have long frowned on movies with mature sexual themes. But gay rights advocates say the film negatively portrays gay and transgender people.
Producer Raja Azmi Raja Sulaiman said Wednesday that the movie is not meant to support or slam gays.