Daily Times

After the success of ‘Bol’ and ‘Khuda Ke Liye’, filmmaker Shoaib Mansoor is coming up with another movie titled ‘Verna’ for Lollywood.

‘Verna’ is written, produced and directed by Shoaib Mansoor.

‘Verna’ will be released worldwide on November 17. Starring the iconic Mahira Khan along with Shahid Haroon, who will be making his first ever appearance in this movie, the trailer of ‘Verna’ had unveiled few days ago in Karachi where Mahira Khan and Shahid Haroon were also present to talk at length about their characters in this movie.

The trailer of the movie was unveiled few days ago and its first look gave me the feeling that ‘Verna’ was inspired by a Hollywood movie ‘Indecent Proposal’ which was released way back in 1993

‘Verna’ will touch those dark aspects of society, which most people avoid discussing.

The initial look of ‘Verna’ suggests that it will be an intense movie, which may bring tears to the audience’s eyes.

A few months ago, I was having a discussion with a director about the state of cinema in Pakistan and he was of the view that people were producing lighthearted movies because the audience was not ready for intense movies. On the contrary, a director like Mansoor after his two successful intense movies is coming up with a third venture of similar nature in the form of ‘Verna’. The success of Mansoor points out one thing that if someone chooses a topic, which is linked with the society and then treats it properly, then his chances of gaining success increases.

Expressing his views, Mansoor said, “Film to me is an art form like poetry. Many people may not agree with me, but I believe in giving art some meaning. All over the world, poetry done with some deeper meanings and philosophy has always lived longer. Whether my films pass for being artistic may rightly be questionable, but they do reflect my beliefs and conscience. Things happening around me bother and hence, I am forced by my inner self to take them on. My films reflect the anger that I feel on social injustice of all forms. So every time I am about to embark on a film it is my anger that controls my thoughts, not the hunger for success and money.”

The trailer of ‘Verna’ suggests that Mahira Khan is coming up with a powerful role in this movie. Khan is a talented actress and the audience has to wait until the release of the movie to know if she justified her role or not. She has delivered many powerful dialogues one of which is “Mujhe dou mardoun ney kharab kiya. Ek ko main choroungi nahi aur dosre ke sath rahoungi.”

Haroon is making his debut in this movie. He is upbeat about his role and his initial performance looks satisfactory. Viewers have to wait until the release of the movie to witness his transformation from a musician to an actor.

The trailer of ‘Verna’ released a few days ago, highlights that the film is trying to raise a point that how feudal lords and other powerful mafias think that they can buy everyone and everything present in this country.

A few months ago, a Lollywood movie ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’ released. It seems that a dialogue from ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’, “Muhhabat may aurat se koi jeetta nahi aur nafrat may aurat ko koyi hara nahi saka” is more suitable for situations faced by Khan in ‘Verna’.

I am waiting to watch ‘Verna’ to know that what was the situation that allowed a feudal lord to intervene in the life of Sarah and Aami.

In the past also, the issue of feudal lords, powerful mafias and weak justice system were raised through television and movies but they failed to create the desired impact. I hope ‘Verna’ will create the desired impact in order to bring a positive change in our society.

Some nice locations are selected for the shooting of this movie.

The sequence of Mansoor’s movies ‘Khuda Ke Liye’, ‘Bol’ and ‘Verna’, are just like as if he is asking the society to speak out on their miseries, otherwise get ready to face doom.

In my view, ‘Verna’ will do fabulous business at the box office because it is raising those issues, which are prevalent in our society and public will be able to connect with them.

Published in Daily Times, October 30^th 2017.