Saving Face

Dr. Mohammad Jawad appears as himself, a plastic surgeon dedicated to improving the lives of acid-attack survivors. He works to restore facial symmetry and manages patient expectations through careful planning and innovative procedures. He frames his work as a mutual rescue, saying he is saving his own face along with the survivors' while pushing for broader social change.

Advocate Sarkar Abbas acts as Zakia's lawyer, explaining the plan for the legal case and seeking a precedent in prosecuting acid violence. He outlines the trial strategy for Pervez and presents the life-imprisonment bill to Parliament. His work frames justice as accountability for violence against women and a catalyst for systemic reform.

Zakia is a 39-year-old acid-attack survivor whose life is upended by an abusive husband. She testifies against her husband with her face veiled and later receives surgical reconstruction and an external prosthesis that symbolizes a rebirth. Her journey illustrates both physical healing and the social challenges survivors face, including stigma and fear for the future.

Rukhsana, a 25-year-old survivor, recounts how her husband, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law attempted to burn her alive. She endures further hardship and discovers she is eight weeks pregnant, adding a note of future hope to her trauma. She participates in support networks and pursues plans for future surgeries.

Pervez is Zakia's abusive husband, accused of the attack. He protests his innocence and maintains that someone else attacked Zakia, signaling the contentious nature of the case. He is arrested and ultimately faces a life-imprisonment sentence under the new law.

Yasir is Rukhsana's husband who denies abusing her, claiming she set herself on fire in a moment of anger. His account contrasts with the survivors' testimony and highlights the gendered tensions surrounding domestic violence.

Waheed is Zakia's son, whose relationship with his mother marks the personal stakes of the survivors' fight for medical care and safety. His presence represents the hope of a safer family life in the aftermath of violence.

Sumbul is Zakia's daughter, whose well-being and future are central to Zakia's motivations for seeking justice and treatment. The narrative follows the impact of the case on children growing up in a society grappling with violence.

Marvi Memon, a member of Parliament, speaks with the survivors and explains the purpose of the crime bill, highlighting the legislative push toward life imprisonment for acid violence as a societal fix. She represents political support for reform and women's rights within the film's context.