While its unclear whether Mahira Khan and co-star Haroon Shahid share a crackling chemistry in Verna, the duo definitely displayed an easy camaraderie while promoting the Shoaib Mansoor-directed film in Lahore.
The movie, which screens in UAE cinemas from November 23, has been at the centre of a promotional blitzkrieg that has seen its two lead stars travel all over Pakistan. The much-talked-about film has also been at the centre of a media storm.
Verna deals with the issue of rape and harassment by those in positions of power, a story that continues to unspool in real life as Hollywood reels from the downfall of disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein.
However, Verna’s story didn’t sit well with the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) in Pakistan, which in turn slapped a ban on the film for its “edgy content” that was allegedly “maligning state agencies”. The public outcry, and the corresponding social media hashtag #UnbanVerna, resulted in the decision being reversed the next day following a review by the Appellate Board.
Ahead of the film’s release, and while the storm was finally blowing over, Gulf News tabloid! caught up with the lead stars of Verna for an exclusive chat. Excerpts follow:
What was the first thing that crossed your mind when you read the script of Verna?
Mahira Khan: That I need to do it. Period.
Haroon, did you ever feel that your launchpad in cinema was going to be a woman-oriented film, and one which had Mahira Khan in the lead?
Haroon Shahid: Not at all. I think it’s a misconception that Verna is a woman-oriented film. It is, in fact, a human-oriented film. It would be unfair to see it in terms of gender roles.
Khan: Absolutely. I agree 100 per cent.
But obviously, she has an author-backed role.
Khan: That’s a very common thing we get asked. I also had answered exactly what Haroon just said. Why do we do that? Do we do that based on the number of scenes an actor has in the film? Are you trying to say that I have a meatier role? That’s a very surface-level analysis, because when you see the film you’ll realise how important his character is.
Having said that, in a good film — and it could be a film which has 12 characters or which has several stories coming together, etc — every character will shine.
Has doing this film sensitised you towards the issue of sexual abuse?
Khan: Of course. I think that is the beauty — or upside — of being an actor. You are a sensitive person already — a good actor is usually a sensitive human being — and then doing certain roles and playing certain characters you are constantly ‘feeling.’ There’s a very simple way to do it: put yourself in that character’s shoes.
So, as an actor, I can’t have any judgment on a character. And I have had many judgments on characters, and that’s when I failed; when I’m, like, ‘Why did she do this or that?’ That’s when you fail. You’re to get into the character’s shoes, and once you’ve done that, you’ll be them, and you will justify everything that you do.
How did you prepare for the role, especially considering Shoaib Mansoor leaves a lot to the actors?
Khan: Shoaib Mansoor is the kind of director who gives you the best meat in the world — it’s like Australian beef — and it’s just amazing; he marinates it, it’s prime, and all you’ve to do is cook it right. That’s what we do in his films.
Shahid: I had my senior [looks towards Khan] constantly watching over me, and this was probably one of the main reasons why I was able to perform whatever I did. If my performance turns out bad…
Khan: …the discredit will be mine! [Laughs]
Haroon, what was the best acting advice your ‘senior’ gave you?
Shahid: Oh, it was more than just advice. I believe that advice alone wouldn’t have worked as effectively as the way she helped me out. A lot of times I wouldn’t know if I had the right expressions on my face, but I knew Mahira was there and would help me get it right.
Jodie Foster, who won an Oscar for playing a rape survivor in the 1988 Hollywood movie The Accused, said in an interview: “It [rape] isn’t about intimacy; it’s about power and violence; control and domination… There is this incredible spiritual and physical invasion with rape and a completely, utter, emotional force. It’s hard to figure out.”
Khan: Yes, absolutely. That’s such a good quote; I’m actually going to post this on my Instagram [profile]. That’s precisely what rape is; it’s not about you lusting for a person, it’s about you showing the other person that you are more powerful. So actually, more than sexual abuse, Verna is about the misuse of power, and how Sara [her character in the film] goes out and says, “OK, if it’s a power game, come on, let’s play it!”
Did you have a lot of discussions with Mansoor about your character’s nuances — how tough should Sara be, how likeable, how attractive, et al?
Khan: I was nervous about playing this character because, you know, this is Shoaib Mansoor’s only film so far where there are no side tracks or subplots. That can be very hard for an actor — it’s almost like you’re going to carry it alone, and there’s nothing in the middle to distract. So I couldn’t miss a beat. I had to really be on the alert. That was the tricky part. And I am not going to lie; there were times when I wasn’t in it, and there were times when I asked myself if I was doing it right as Sara or was I just letting it go.
But with Shoaib saheb [sir], yes, I did bug him, and I did that very selfishly. I was, like, ‘I need to perform’.
Considering it was a tough character, were there any scenes that left you emotionally drained?
Khan: Yes. Not a lot of times, though, but I would say, the climax was physically draining. Some of us do this thing which I do a lot, where if Shoaib saheb is saying, ‘You have to run from point A to point B,’ I’d be, like, ‘No, let me run from here all the way up there; maybe we’ll get a good shot.’
Haroon, I believe there’s an underwater sequence in the movie that you found quite hard?
Shahid: Yeah, but how do you know about that?
You come across as somebody who isn’t insecure about your share in the limelight — you let Khan get all the attention during Verna promotions.
Shahid: Yeah, I am like that. I believe humility goes a long way. Also, I think it’s for your work that you should be judged and liked. So, I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Mahira, which of the two situations is the most favourable to the actor in you — when you are pitched against a stalwart like Shah Rukh Khan, or when the actor before you is a newcomer?
Khan: Both. I believe that the script has to support me. When my script will support me, it doesn’t matter.
I hope that he [Shahid] does more work later on, but maybe, let’s say he does another film, with a brand new girl, and they say, ‘Oh, but Haroon was amazing in Verna, he’s only OK in the other film.’ Does that mean that it was because of me? No, it’s got nothing to do with that. It will always be because he got a better role in one film and not very well written role in the other. It’s all about content.
Haroon, I read a comment by musician Shahi Hasan on an Instagram post by you: ‘Best of luck... although I prefer you as a musician and a singer.’ Is that the general response you’ve got for crossing over to acting?
Shahid: I am not looking at the responses people are giving me, not until they have seen me perform. Even with Shahi, whatever he said was related to music.
Khan: I think they don’t want to lose another musician to our world. I don’t feel the need to defend him as he’s doing quite well on his own, but there are lots of people I know — senior actors and actresses who I am friends with — who have all commented that this boy has something. He has acting abilities, more than anything.
Mahira, do you miss being in Bollywood?
Khan: No. I mean, this question does not apply.
You’ve often said that your first memory of Bollywood glory is Madhuri Dixit’s dance in Bada Dukh Dina O Ramji from the movie Ram Lakhan. Do you believe you could play something like that on screen?
Khan: You mean, if I can play a dancer? I have done my bit of singing and dancing in films.
An old Facebook post of yours goes: “Acting advice given to me by my friend… ‘Whenever you get stuck in a scene, always think — wwsdd (what would Sri Devi do)’.” Are you a Devi fan or a Dixit fan?
Khan: Madhuri, Madhuri, Madhuri! Queen, queen, queen!
Rumour has it that you were offered Kaabil opposite Hrithik Roshan but you refused it because you weren’t comfortable with the rape scene. Comment.
Khan: I am not answering this.
Do you personally read whatever is printed about you in the media?
Khan: No, not everything.
Shahid: I read whatever you printed on Verna.
Do the overactive social media ever make you feel paranoid? How do you deal with the trolls?
Khan: Honestly, you have to not deal with the trolls altogether. You can’t give them importance. Of course, sometimes it gets to a point where it’s quite big…
Very often, your fans will fight the battle for you on social media. Does that make you happy?
Khan: Completely.
These days, celebrities are judged by the number of their Twitter and Instagram followers. Does that worry you?
Khan: Not at all. My favourite actors are probably the lowest followed people on Instagram.
Are you coming back to TV dramas?
Khan: Maybe, next year.
What about you, Haroon? Are you open to working on the small screen?
Shahid: I’ve a few offers that I am considering, but right now I am not sure if I’ll take up any.
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The rise of Mahira Khan
Over the six years since her debut film, Bol, where she famously starred alongside pop icon Atif Aslam, Mahira Khan has come a long way.
Her TV serial Humsafar (2012) catapulted her to heights of fame that later saw her cross over to Bollywood in the blockbuster Raees, opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
Back in Pakistan, her stocks have only soared higher — all the four films starring her that followed, went on to become big hits, including Manto (2015) and Actor In Law (2016), in which she did a cameo.
Khan went on to become the highest paid female model in Pakistan and also bagged a L’Oreal Paris brand ambassadorship.
At the eight Beirut International Awards Festival, early this year, she was presented the International Recognition Award and also adjudged the Best Dressed female celebrity on the red carpet. In an off-shoulder, tea-pink gown by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran, Khan looked like royalty.
Her contemporary style statements have won her a loyal following among young women.
Haroon Shahid: New kid on the block
Haroon Shahid has had his share of popularity thanks to the indie pop band Symt, which he led as a vocalist. The singer gained further recognition with his Coke Studio tracks Koi Labda and Tum Kaho.
However, before his fame that would eventually lead him to Lollywood, Shahid used to command a small fan base following his participation in the first season of Pakistan Sangeet Icon, Indus TV’s music reality show, in 2008. His original track, Pyar Di Ganderi, became a hit with the youth.
