Verna

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.

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.

Verna is an intense verdict of the Gods on earth and power hungry society, it truely depict the old proverb " jiski laathi uski bhains". This movie scars your soul from the bitter truth around you. It defines the VIP culture and if one takes a stand how the feudal lords and earthly gods can assassinate your soul and self respect and in matter need also your life.

Praises to Shoaib Mansoor as he always picks up reality based topics to potray our culture and its associated issues. Indeed the topic of rape in our eastern society is very sensitive and post event circulstances are unexplainably hurtful for the victim and family. But the truch is that we have adopted such a narrow mind set basically from the hindus which is indoctrinated in our soul like many other elements from birth to death i.e our wedding events, our births and deaths and image of widows and rape victims. The way Shoaib directed the movie is fabulous. I believe no one could have done the leading lady role better then Mahira khan in our industry. She acted very well and deserves applause. Same goes for Haroon shahid, even though it was the firat time i saw him, but indeed he did good. He could have shown alittle more insecure and angry at certain stages in movie but overall, he was good Role of Zarrar, he defined the what a the liniages of our so called rulers and the way they consider a common man more of a scum then human was astonishing, i liked his acting alot. Music could have been alot better keeping in mind the brillian music of Khuda ke liye and soulfull main theme of bol. Keeping in mind our industry, such films when complete there twnure in cinemas, should be shown on TV and should be available on stream medias; as it is impossible to search them and watch them. I must say its a definite watch for any person of our middle class society to express them that at times in life, one must take a stand because somethings are worth fighting for.

This explorers deep in human emotions, when they are pushed to their limit and do anything for justice, revenge and hate. Humans always had been strange in ways to do desperate things. Probably why the film is having mix reviews, is because people are not use to watching films like theses about the deeper, emotional minds of people.

The movie had a good topic, something to shout about but delivered a utterly silly plot hole ridden film. A message which got confused in the seemingly endless sub topics, I wish this film was grittier, darker and less imaginary than it was; so that it could connect with people on a deeper social level. This was just glossing over the real message so not to cause controversy, so much could have been done with the initial basic idea.

Shoaib Mansoor's previous two movies were better and actually tackled things head on and confidently made a statement, Verna in comparison was at best extremely watered down.

A little comical at times due to scenes and plots not being developed enough, for what was marked as a serious release.

Pakistani film making has to stop backtracking on things already explored and be smarter about what's being released, and how stories develop.

The focus has always been on the cast and what actor or actress is playing the lead etc. If the emphasis on the importance of which actors are cast is ignored then maybe things will progress.