Recently the censor board banned Verna due to its sensitive content and portrays the state institutions in an undesirable manner.
Many artists, local and international, had condemned the banning of the film, including our very own Mahira Khan.
May the power of the voices of the people be stronger than a few in positions of power. #verna
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) November 15, 2017
Pakistan Nari Tehreek, a network of over one hundred grass roots women organizations were also outraged at the Islamabad’s Film Committee for banning Verna by the decision.
The petition added, “Verna is also pro-democracy and will take the society forward. As far as we are concerned, the film belongs to the women of Pakistan and it needs to be shown to all, inside and outside Pakistan.”
It further stated, “It is known to us that the Lahore and Karachi Censor Boards have passed it but still await the final decision from Islamabad.
The full Film Censor Board is due to revisit and review the film and we hope the board members will realise the importance of Shoaib Mansoor’s work and the awareness he has created regarding the heinous crimes against women.”
We’re thrilled that the movie is going to take over Karachi today on wards. But whether Punjab cinemas will welcome the movie or not – that’s another story.
