Images

There is no nice way of depicting issues like sexual harassment and rape, says Mahira Khan

There is no nice way of depicting issues like sexual harassment and rape, says Mahira Khan

Our ideas about these issues are so warped, the Verna actress says
02 Nov, 2017

The issue of rape and consent is a serious one, and it should not be romanticised in films. Mahira Khan agrees.

"We often criticise films for depicting issues like rape with an angle of love," said Mahira. The actress was speaking about her upcoming film Verna in the DawnNews morning show, Chai, Toast Aur Host with Anoushey Ashraf.

"But the subject is such, you can't actually go around it," the star, who is playing a rape survivor in the Shoaib Mansoor directorial, said.

There is "no nice way" of going about it, Mahira added.

While speaking on the subject of harassment, the actress said, "Our ideas are so warped about this."

"If you feel something that happened [with you] wasn't right, then it is not right," the actress added.

When someone spends their entire life in an environment where sexual harassment is normalised, their "idea of what's right and wrong also changes", she said.

Mahira also said that films and morning shows are a great medium to talk about these issues.

"You are reaching out to so many people," the Bol actress said.

Verna is slated for release on November 17. The film is directed by Shoaib Mansoor and stars Haroon Shahid, Zarrar Khan, Naimal Khawar and Rasheed Naz in main roles.

Comments

strangerthings Nov 02, 2017 03:55pm
love her even more. more power to you mahira khan!
Recommend
Tr Nov 02, 2017 04:02pm
Mahira Khan is a very talented actress.
Recommend
M. Emad Nov 02, 2017 04:07pm
About 70% Pakistani working women experienced sexual harassment at workplace.
Recommend
Last comment Nov 02, 2017 04:19pm
After Mahira photo incident - she supposed to take this position i.e. to defend Sharmeen (the harassed) Chinoye...
Recommend
Harmony-1© Nov 02, 2017 04:31pm
@M. Emad - How did you conduct that poll???
Recommend
aadil ali wani Nov 02, 2017 04:35pm
the issue of rape and consent is a serious problem of the modern world ,it should not be highlighted in media nor it should be captured in cameras for entertainment ,as it misguids the youngesters of our society towards some serious evils. There should be some organisations in our society who can teach , the importance of every living creature in this world,the values of character in life.
Recommend
aadil ali wani Nov 02, 2017 04:43pm
The only way to stop sexual harrasments is to take oath from individual level to fight against harrasments.First we should purify our selves,then we can purify our society
Recommend
M.Mohsin Nov 02, 2017 05:13pm
Sexual harassment is universally common even in west. Now bold & courageous women are speaking but years of silence like happened in Trump case or Fox news. Good thing is in the east like Pakistan girls like Ayshea Gulalai MNA and University of Sindh (English department) and others are coming out but with little praise. I salute these defenseless girls for there brave & bold step. It's not easy. I am disappointed by SC of Pakistan not taking any action, when a sitting NA parliamentary member, is challenging his party chief Imran k. Niazi. Change will take sometime but it has started.
Recommend
Khanzada Nov 02, 2017 06:28pm
Pakistan has a deeply misogynistic culture where double standards exist for men and women. The media are not helping the womens' cause with their consistent depiction of women in dramas as helpless creatures whose sole purpose of existence is to be married off and produce kids. Stronger female characters like the type we saw in the 1970's and 80's by Haseena Moin need to be created for dramas and Mahira Khan with her power and influence can play a big part. Those who occupy positions of power like Hamza Shahbaz and the Fuedals like Khar's son who have abused their wives need to be named and shamed Does the media have the guts ti do it?
Recommend
Morning Star Nov 02, 2017 06:56pm
@Sheraz Ali : First of all she is an actor in a film, not a scholar preaching virtue. Don't shoot the messenger - remember. Also, women just like her, who are divorced are considered easy going by sick minded people and targeted for harassment or even rape.
Recommend
Hasnain Nov 02, 2017 07:03pm
@Sheraz Ali The topic being discussed here is a really different one then what you are complaining about. Marital issues is strictly her personal life and she has all the right to take decision based on her priorities and NOT his priorities.
Recommend
Anwar Syed, ST.LOUIS, mo.usa Nov 02, 2017 07:53pm
You are a great actress. Our family always enjoy your role in films. Keep up the good work and we all wish you more success & happiness in life.
Recommend
Citizen Nov 02, 2017 08:38pm
stereo type theme.
Recommend
Alba Nov 02, 2017 10:34pm
Give us a break Mahira. Sexual harassment and rape are very, very different. Sexual harassment may lead to non-consensual sex, but rape can lead to murder. Men in positions of power in a corporation are not murders. A woman who has been raped has a legal obligation to report that rape to the police regardless of fear or social norms. Otherwise, how is society protected?
Recommend
FJ Nov 02, 2017 11:56pm
@Sheraz Ali : No, you clearly don't respect her as a woman. If you did, you wouldn't be making rude assumptions about her. Her family, friends and even her ex in laws support her and have her back. Just because a woman is friends with a man or hangs out with him in public does not mean that she has a bad character. The fact that you judge a woman by pictures that were taken without her consent and leaked without her consent, speaks much greater about your character than hers. Ending a marriage that is not working is not something bad. She and her husband both have moved on and so should you. Everyone in society has a right to talk about and address issues that are hurting our nation especially someone like Mahira Khan who has been a victim of cyber bullying and online harassment. From people slut shaming her to abusing her family and her son to being slandered, she has every right to talk about harassment especially because she has faced it herself.
Recommend
FJ Nov 03, 2017 12:01am
@Shahzeb Yes Shahzeb, blame the victim for the abuse they suffer. According to you, women who are raped and abused ask to be raped and abused. The problem is that people in our society don't understand the concept of consent. A woman wearing western clothes or less clothes in not asking for rape. A working woman is not asking to be approached and abused. Men have to learn to mind their own business and not justify for their wrongdoings.
Recommend
N abidi Nov 03, 2017 07:11am
@Sheraz Ali people should not talk about other family life ,when they do not have any knowledge about it ! Mahira,has the the right to speak about any subject. She has the right to live her life, who has appoint you the moral police.! Shermeen ,also had the right to make the movie on the subjects that exist in Pakistan , you can not hide the ugly truth. These issues have to come to light ,and girls,and women needs to find solutions , enough!
Recommend
Omair Nov 03, 2017 09:04am
@Shahzeb that's something new "provoked harassment". Wow!
Recommend
marium shirazee-Jan Nov 03, 2017 09:16am
@Sheraz Ali do you know her personally that you are so aware of her family values? She never called herself a role model either. Learn an iota of respect before making slurs on someone you know nothing about.
Recommend
Sami Nov 03, 2017 10:10am
You put it so well Mahira. The Pakistani mind is really so warped when it comes to sexual harassment and it has been part of the society for so long that it has been totally normalized. It was really very sad to read the many attacks, on Sharmeen, from so many “educated” people. Educated yet and still ignorant.
Recommend
Sami Nov 03, 2017 10:15am
@Shahzeb — Shazeb, did your parents not teach you the concept of personal responsibility? Assessing blame on the victim is more than ignorance. It is cowardice, man. Total cowardice.
Recommend
Khuram Nisar Nov 06, 2017 11:26am
@aadil ali wani how can you address the problem without even talking about it ?
Recommend