Censor board bans Mahira Khan’s ‘Verna’ reportedly for rape scenes

Pakistani actress Mahira Khan’s upcoming movie ‘Verna’ has been banned by the Censor Board in Pakistan for apparently having rape and violent scenes in it. However, this ban is not going too well with the twitter users, especially the women groups.

Shoaib Mansoor directed movie is based on the most common and under voiced social issue, rape and sexual harassment on women. However, it seems like the Central Board of Films Censor (CBFC) is having some issues with the film.

‘Verna’ was supposed to be premiered in Lahore on Tuesday but after the board failed to issue the certificate for its release, the premiere was called off.

On an unverified twitter account of CBFC Chief Mobashir Hasan, a tweet was shared announcing the ban on the movie. "Verna banned by the #CBFC pending further appeal," according to the tweet.

The decision is not going down well with fans, as many took to Twitter to express their disappointment and reacted to the situation with hash tag ‘#StandforVerna’. The fans have slammed the ban by voicing out their anguish over the Censor Board and are criticising their double standards.

When they can't bear the truth, they try to destroy it. Banning a movie like Verna is tantamount to destroying the truth. Truth be told as it. #Verna #VernaBan https://t.co/CVgRUZwlSY

— Muhammad Murad (@MuradKanrani) November 14, 2017

I question to CBFC,
What message are you sending when you ban a film that stood up against violence?
You let the powerful win again.#Verna

— Aftab Iqbal (@_AftabIqbal) November 14, 2017

When they can't bear the truth, they try to destroy it. Banning a movie like Verna is tantamount to destroying the truth. Truth be told as it. #Verna #VernaBan https://t.co/CVgRUZwlSY

— Muhammad Murad (@MuradKanrani) November 14, 2017

Ban on #Verna is imposed to make those powerful people happy who don't want masses to know what they do to maintain their hold on public

— Khurram Zia Khan (@KhurramZiaKhan) November 14, 2017

Maybe it was banned for not having enough item songs, vulgar dialogues, and other cheap titillation. Such a mature content seems to have offended a few... #Verna

— LubNaa (@LubnaSabir1) November 14, 2017

"#Verna is about violence against women. Did they expect Mahira to dance with Haroon in a wedding to raise awareness about this subject? Or do they honestly expect a film about violence against women to be shown without showing violence against women?" https://t.co/eu1t6rS2ld

— Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) November 14, 2017

Violence against women in #ChainAyeNa and #PunjabNahiJaoungi is not objectionable according to the Censor Board in Pakistan but a movie that addresses rape culture and the problems victims face is banned in this country. Bravo! #Verna

— Seerat Khan (@seeratkhan92) November 14, 2017

Mahira and Haroon Shahid's movie 'Verna' was initially supposed to release on the 17th November but the movie has postponed its release date till further notice.