Verna

After single handedly resurrecting Pakistani Cinema , Shoaib Mansoor returned again with a film based on a topic that strongly needed discussion i.e RAPE ,the films starts with a disclaimer that this film is based on pure fiction as reality is unbearable ,and i believe this to be true with a subject so taboo and difficult to talk about that its difficult to make a film on that is engaging, but i think that he succeeded in making this kind of film , that do leave a a lot of questions in one's mind.Direction was spot on Mahira Khan and Zarrar Khan did an excellent job along with the supporting cast ,music and songs were rightly placed , the only issue i have got is with the story,it was good but could have been much tighter. These kind of films need to succeed as they serve a purpose and everyone should support it by watching it.

Verna is the first Pakistani movie I have seen in cinema. I made the effort because I respect Shoaib Mansoor directorial style. Bol is one of my all time favourite film and Khuda Ke Liye was great. It takes courage, flair and ingenuity to hold a mirror up to the society and make it entertaining as well.

Verna did not meet my expectations. If Bol is 10 and KKL 8, Verna is only 5. I would still recommend people to watch it, as ShoMan's 5 is a 15 as compared to other directors.

Haroon Shahid is seriously miscast as the husband. The role requires a lot more shades than he is capable of. Pitching an actor in his first role against Mahira Khan does a disservice to both of them. Zarrar Khan is perfect as Sultan. He is charming and scary in turns. Naimal Khawar is given nothing to do. Rasheed Naz and the woman vakil are a bit too over the top in their dramatics.

The main problem with Verna is that it is hard to relate to Sara and her choices. Instead of brave, she comes across as a stubborn and privileged woman, who has complete disregard for the impact her decisions has on everyone around her. The last act of Verna feels more like from a Bond movie than something that can happen in reality.

I guess Pakistan filmmakers are bound by social & political restrictions on what can be shown, but Shoaib Mansoor must be held responsible that Verna is a lot less hard hitting than his previous films.

Final - Despite the flaws, still worth watching. Some TV serials these days are more gripping.

05/12/17

I got home after a hectic day at work, I had been planning to watch this film since it was released, been asking my pakistani friends to go with me, some of them even haven't heard of it and mostly I get asked this question "is it Indian"? or "who's in it" and after my reply, the reply I get from them "oh" and then I would tell them it's from Shoman (Shoaib Mansoor) behind Khuda Ke Liye, Bol, man behind Alpha Bravo Charlie and Vital Signs. They were like OK, yeah can do it but again no one made proper planning but yesterday I told myself if that's the way it is then okay I will go by myself, Shoman don't make films that often and I haven't seen any of his previous films in the cinema.

I went to the theatre nearby Cineworld, under the impression it was Tuesday half price. I bought popcorn with a drink for £5 and hoping ticket would be £5-£6 but it was like £12 which I wasn't happy about. I walked into the screen, it was a small screen which I wasn't used to as last film I went to watch in cinemas was latest Kingsman: The golden circle and Dunkirk, there were Pakistani families women with head covered probably, young couples, elderly couples, one sikh and more families.

Film started with good music especially lyrics but again it's an art to make good music with a message in it, music I haven't heard before in any of Shoman's films before, I was pleasantly surprised as it was quality. I wouldn't go in to too much details about the film but first of all, this film is for women, as me being a feminist I have always believed in equality as growing up in Pakistan I did see this unfair treatment towards women everywhere, example is one of my best friend whenever I went to visit him, he wouldn't let me in to his house unless his sisters hide from me and this was very common among my other friends, but then later he would go out with me for "poondi" (checking out girls) on shopping mall, universities, college vans etc, This is the sad male attitude in the society, women aren't allowed to do anything but man can do whatever he likes. Most common phrase you get to hear is "he is a man, he can do it". Film is regarding serious issues I could hear some man constantly laughing in the cinema during some serious scenes when character of Mahira Khan made some strong statement, elderly lady sitting in the row infront of me kept on rolling her eyes, I think people are not liking this film as you can see the character rebelling against her husband, rebelling against her parents, woman talking about sex openly and it's heart aching truth all of it as I have seen it happening around, all of it. People don't want women to be independent it's including parents, brothers and husbands. They want to control them.

What annoys me the most and it's not just Asian problem this attitude is worldwide as living in England from a very long time I have had the opportunity to meet people from all different backgrounds but I want to make this clear "WOMEN'S BODY IS THEIR PROPERTY, WHAT THEY DO WITH IT, IT'S THEIR CHOICE" you are no one to judge or to tell them what to do with it whether you are brother, husband, partner, father etc.

I have great respect for Shoman because his films are always original and you can actually hear him talking through the characters, he does not copy Hollywood unlike 95 percent of bollywood films and Hollywood copies whole world, situation we have in Pakistan at the moment it is critical, it hasn't been this bad and it's time for people to wake up. Film is about general male attitude towards female and mafia political leaders.

Not just the story, this film is very well made. It doesn't has big cast as it did in Bol and Khuda Ke liye. I nearly fell asleep watching WARR (still was a good film) in first half but this film is nearly 2 and half hour long but there wasn't any dull moment. It is equally entertaining. I have seen a lot of Pakistani films since Khuda Ke Liye, films are not like they used to be before bad acting, same story in every film, and poorly directed still there are some bollywood inspired films which aren't for me if you are typical stereotypical Asian male who thinks women are an object and they should be listening to men then don't go bother watching it but if you want to change the attitude then go watch it. If you are inspired by Bollywood and want to watch some "commercial film" then it's not your cup of tea, go and watch some film with Raj and Rahul.

I don't go to cinema that much as it's so pricey if I go I check the reviews first, I read a review first on some website called "Review it Pk or something" from some lady called Fatima ranting about it's a sad film, not commercial and etc etc. Genre is drama so it won't be comedy and what is commercial because there is no non sense dancing in the film. Don't listen to it, go watch it with an open mind and decide it yourself. I paid £12 for the ticket last night and I would say it worth every single penny. Shoman is without any doubt the best director in South Asia and for the record I am a man.

Shoaib Mansoor is not mine but around 90% of Pakistanies favorite, And why not, he worked almost in every field i.e. Entertainment like Alpha Bravo Charlie, and then highlighting the transgender's issues via BOL and Khuda Kailye against religious extremists.

When i first saw VERNA trailer, it felt good and I was pretty excited about the movie, but it was a disappointment.

Disappointed in a sense that we as the audience were expecting something more appealing from Shamon on HOT topics like rape and gender-inequality.

Rape is not about sexual pleasure. It is all about power which is practiced ruthlessly to eliminate freedom of an individual on whom it is applied. In societies like ours where understanding and discussion on forbidden topics are taken as taboos, a rape victim becomes liability and a slave of her or his own fears. This miserable situation is not less than a hell built by our own hands.

Depicting social ailment of rape on silver screen has always been a tricky trade but the way Shoaib Mansoor has shown in form of "Verna" is work of a genius. He has not shown anything but he has unraveled everything. He has not said anything but he has declared everything. Though Shoaib Mansoor slightly touched the sensitive issue of rape in his previous two installments "Khuda Kay Liye" and "Bol" but "Verna" is a blatant reality of existence of rape in our society muddled in dirty politics of elites of our time.

Beautiful Mahira Khan who was in and out of controversy lately not only emancipates but alleviates herself gorgeously with her intense portrayal of a rape victim Sara in "Verna". The kind of performance she has given in "Verna" can easily be compared with Jodie Foster's rape-drama of yesteryear "The Accused". Mahira Khan single-handedly propels the plot albeit Shoaib Mansoor's imagination and input cannot be removed but her magnificent ability of reflecting words with believable emotions is extremely engaging and her main USP.

Debutant Haroon Shahid is surprising revelation. The way he has matched with the acting prowess of seasoned Mahira Khan in intense scenes, it does not feel "Verna" is his first acting assignment. Audience first sympathizes and then hates Haroon Shahid's volatile character as husband of Mahira Khan and this does not seem like a work of a first timer but a matured actor.

Zarrar Khan as powerful, flamboyant and moral-less son of feudal lord and Governor is a sort of character one will love to hate. In one of the scenes in which he orders his servant to drink glass of his mouth-gargled water is jaw dropping. Rasheed Naz as Zarrar Khan's lawyer is amusing and gives few moments of humor in an out and out intense drama like "Verna".

Others actors have done satisfactory job as required by director Shoaib Mansoor. Film's cinematography is phenomenal and gives picturesque quality in every scene. Songs are melodious but grim and do not feel like out of place even supports actual pacing of the film.

On the whole, "Verna" is gripping and hits like a solid punch with an unbelievable climax specially penultimate stages when Mahira Khan's father dies which literally gives Goosebumps. If this latest venture of Shoaib Mansoor is marketed well internationally and proper PR is done then it can emerge as worthy contender for Oscars in 2019. Watch "Verna" it will stun you beyond belief.