The latest Lollywood film, Verna, has created a buzz all around the country. Just a couple weeks ago, The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Islamabad, had announced a ban on the movie because it had ‘indecent’ content in it which was not suitable for the audience. Little did we know, the movie created a major controversy!
However, as much hype as the movie had created with their killer promotions in different cities in Pakistan, it turned out that many Pakistanis were surely not happy with the movie after its release. This certainly was not how many had perceived it to be.
After the release, a handful of critics said that Shoaib Mansoor, the director of the film was not able to deliver the message of ‘rape’ appropriately and that it failed, badly. Moreover, it wasn’t just the film critics who had these views… Few others also had a lot to say and had different opinions.
Fifi Haroon, a BBC Journalist, also shared her reviews after watching the movie and here’s what she had to say:
"Verna isn't only a women's film. It shows that when a man & woman support each other they can overpower any problem."
Talking to the men of #Verna! The hero @HaroonsMusic & anti-hero Zarrar Khan @BBCUrdu
cc: @TheMahiraKhan https://t.co/9roHPXrpjj
— Fifi Haroon (@fifiharoon) November 21, 2017
A different perception…
Seriously? Her husband was a loser and actually mistrusted her character in the entire movie. He was worse than a rapist.
— Hira Saeed (@heerasaeed) November 21, 2017
Haroon Shahid also added his thoughts…
Yes, Aami has been shown to be an insecure loser for most of the film. The only thing that compelled him to agree with Sara was 'if I don't agree with her, she'll leave me'. So yes, he's as complexed and insecure one can get! A weak person overall.
— Haroon Shahid (@HaroonsMusic) November 21, 2017
The lead actress, Mahira Khan, too, joined in the conversation!
Sorry to interrupt but ever heard of second hand trauma? That is what aami went through, easy to disregard it but it isn’t easy to go through it. Everyone deals with situations and circumstances differently.
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) November 21, 2017
She was quietly observing all that was going on and jumped in at the right time!
The conversation kept going on for a while…
Hi @TheMahiraKhan – Secondary trauma occurs when someone atleast knows what other person went through. He hated her the moment she came back after getting raped. This is the typical mindset of most of the men and I believe movie should have identified it as a "bad" thing atleast.
— Hira Saeed (@heerasaeed) November 21, 2017
We love Mahira’s answers!
Hey! The film did identify it as a bad thing. And him doubting her or hating her is a part of second hand trauma.
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) November 21, 2017
Everyone has the right to disagree and that is completely OKAY
I respectfully disagree, love. Or let's say disagree on the part of how it is shown in the movie.
— Hira Saeed (@heerasaeed) November 21, 2017
Way to go, Mahira! Perfect answer.
Cool, totally get what you’re saying. It’s someone’s vision, doesn’t necessarily hold true for all.
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) November 21, 2017
Fifi Haroon as pretty impressed by all that was going on!
Great to see conversations on cinema and important social issues where people – both from the audience and actors – argue respectfully and can disagree. Thanks all!??
— Fifi Haroon (@fifiharoon) November 21, 2017
And the curious fan… we loved the respect
Respect FIRST! <3
We should not forget what it takes to bring a movie like this to life. The efforts are commendable 🙂— Hira Saeed (@heerasaeed) November 21, 2017
No matter what obstacles this movie had faced before its release or after, we loved the positivity that the actors showed throughout. This conversation teaches us a LOT. Social media has now become a platform which is now used to expose, school, and harass people. However, this conversation teaches us how you can share your different opinions in the most polite manner, knowing your boundaries and not hurting anyone’s feeling. Be it anyone, a famous personality or not, one must never forget that there are millions of people watching you and who look up to you.
What’s your take on this?
