The Pakistani movie Verna, which had been denied a certificate by Pakistan’s Central Board of Film Certification, was cleared without cuts by an appellate tribunal just hours before its release on Friday. Directed by Shoaib Mansoor, the movie stars Mahira Khan as a rape survivor on a quest for justice.
A report in Dawn said that Verna will be released in Sindh, Islamabad and cantonment areas, but it still awaiting a no objection certificate in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The movie had its international release on Friday.
The country’s censor board had earlier refused to clear Verna but did not specify the reason. The appellate tribunal reviewed the movie after Mansoor appealed for urgent relief for the movie.
According to report in Express Tribune, Sindh Board of Film Censors General Secretary Abdul Razzaq Khuhawar had hinted that the film’s depiction of a governor’s son as a rapist had been deemed objectionable by the board.
Mahira Khan recently appeared in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees (2017). Verna is Mansoor’s third film after Khuda Ke Liye and Bol.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!