Verna has been making headlines ever since it was announced. The Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) initially banned its release due to “objectionable and sensitive content”. However, according to the latest news reports the fate of Verna has still not been decided as film’s team rejected the cuts and amendments by the film board and the film is expected to undergo another review.
Previous reports by Samaa indicated that the ban had been lifted and the film is all set to be released tomorrow as scheduled.
The censor board lifted the ban after omitting the objectionable content in the movie.
On the international front, Verna is all set to release as per schedule according to an entry on the website of British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) which said that the film has been approved for screening with no cuts.
The BBFC made note of Verna’s scenes of rape and strong threats and has given the film a rating of 15, which means the film is suitable only for 15 years and over
Hum Films’ PR team confirmed that the film is releasing internationally on schedule.
Verna’s Ban
The Central Board of Film Censors had announced on Tuesday that they had their reservations regarding the film and were unsure whether it was going to be released. Similarly, Sindh Board of Film Censors (SBFC) also said that the film was objectionable on the basis of its subject i.e. rape.
However, the film was cleared by the Punjab and Sindh Boards but not by the CBFC.
As a result of this, the Lahore premiere of the movie was cancelled.
The entire situation sparked a lot of rage on social media with a lot of celebrities, activists and other persons voicing their opinion against the decision of the board.
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
A whole village, police and govt see a 16 years girl dragged naked in the streets but they can’t see a film to educate them about rape issue. #Verna #VernaBanIsAShame
— Nazrana Ghaffar (@NazranaYusufzai) November 14, 2017
Ban #ChildMarriage #Vani & barbaric jirga decisions decreeing innocent girls to be raped and humiliated NOT films like #Verna. Such films can help in changing mindsets! #ChangingMindsets #Verna #Rape #Women #Zabarjinsi
— Samar MinAllah Khan (@SamarMinallahKh) November 14, 2017
Heading to Karachi and hoping by the time we land that Pakistan Censor board will have done the right thing #ReleaseVerna #Verna #Zarrarkhan #MahiraKhan pic.twitter.com/t5uxTkClz0
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) November 15, 2017
This is too bad. Sindh censor had passed #Verna @TheMahiraKhan https://t.co/tkv8E4Au8g
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) November 14, 2017
Deepika Padukone also spoke about the ban.
“It’s sad that a small section of people don’t understand the power of cinema.” @deepikapadukone speaks out about the controversy surrounding the release of #Padmavati. @iharoonrashid also asks her about @themahirakhan‘s #Verna which is facing issues. pic.twitter.com/IwwjYMGM4u
— BBC Asian Network (@bbcasiannetwork) November 14, 2017
Verna is director Shoaib Mansoor’s third venture. Mansoor has always been one to think outside the box and come up with themes and stories which reflect our society’s ills. His previous two projects, Khuda Kay Liye and Bol also had controversial storylines.
