From ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ to ‘Verna’: 5 Pakistani films highlighting important social issues

Films are an important prism for viewing society’s cultural norms and beliefs, especially those that are rooted in our social fabric.

In the past decade or two, films such as Bol and Khuda Ke Liye, have pushed audiences to look beyond the flashy item numbers and ponder upon social issues and change. Luckily, with the passage of time, Pakistan has produced several films that critically examine taboos in our country.

Trigger Warning!

1. Verna

The film narrates the plight of Sara (Mahira Khan), a married woman who is abducted and assaulted by a political figure who uses his social position to instil fear and control over others. He uses his presence in power corridors to influence the evidence and the courtroom. 

In an interview with DW, Mansoor also shared that the murder of Shahzeb Khan inspired him to make this film. He said, "Due to this incident, I was able to show how illicit power is used in Pakistan against the public. I added rape to the story because it is the most common form of power against women. Like many other people, I also think that rape is showing power, not just sexual lust."

2. Khuda Kay Liye

The film not only vividly established the torture and injustice against Muslims in the West, but it also illustrated the trauma of forced marriages and marital rape.

The star-studded film also garnered much attention due to Sarmad's (Fawad Khan) controversial relationship with an extremist religious preacher who guides him to commit acts of crime and justify it under the label of faith. 

3. Zinda Bhaag

Although presented in a comical manner, the film is actually based on quite a dark theme: the horrifying methods of illegal immigration and the various challenges faced by people who wish to escape to foreign countries, in search of a better life. It is also centered around men, therefore it creates space for them to voice and open up about their trauma as well.

The film was also curated as part of the UN initiative to reduce violence against women and girls called Let's Talk Men.

4. Bol

5. Dukhtar

Years later, she abducts and runs away with her ten-year-old daughter Zainab (Saleha Aref), terrified that her daughter may have a similar fate. In doing so, she encounters many woes and friends on the way to getting her daughter back to Lahore.

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