Mahira Khan is the biggest female star in Pakistan’s burgeoning film industry, and one of the first Pakistani actors to cross over into India’s lucrative Bollywood industry.
Recently Mahira Khan’s Verna got banned in Pakistan due to its sensitivity content; however in an interview Mahira explained why the basic premise of the film was exactly the reason why it was banned.
“More than anything, Verna talked about power. Whether we talk about misogyny or patriarchy or abuse, they’re all act of power. That’s what the film tackles. My character is an empowered woman who fights the system. It’s not just a story about rape,” she revealed.
Mahira went on to share why she chose such a project. “Shoaib Mansoor was my first director and he’s probably one of the best in Pakistan. When he calls you, you immediately want to listen to what he has to say,” she explained. “When I heard the story, all I knew was that there are lines in the film that I wanted to be able to say. There were a lot of other great commercial projects that were around at the same time but as an actor, it was a hunger… to be able to be part of something like this.”
“Personally speaking, I would like to see better roles written for us. And I think that is happening. Women are the heroes of our television industry. I would like to see the same for films,” Mahira added. “I would like better stories, and I want to see better roles for men and women. As far as tackling things like pay parity goes… that is also being talked about. I think most of us fight for our rights. I think we’re creating a good groundwork for future generations.”
Mahira admitted she feels “lucky” to be part of the revival of Pakistani cinema. “Usually, you go from dramas to films but my first acting experience was Bol, and then I came to TV. And I only came because there was no other avenue for film at that time. And then, slowly, after my third drama, there was a certain revival,” she said.
Talking about the revisited ban on Pakistani artistes, Mahira said “Oh, man. I wish I had an answer to that. I wish it was within our hands or our control. But it isn’t. It’s something governments are deciding, and so be it.”
