Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi “HAQ” Revives Shah Bano Case

In a move that promises to ignite a national conversation, actors Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi are set to star in the upcoming courtroom drama, “HAQ.” The film’s recently released teaser offers a powerful glimpse into a cinematic retelling of the landmark Shah Bano case, a legal battle that not only redefined women’s rights but also shook the foundations of personal law and religious identity in 1980s India.

Directed by Suparn S Varma, “HAQ” is inspired by the historic 1985 Supreme Court judgment in the case of Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum. The case saw a 62-year-old divorced Muslim woman, Shah Bano, fight for her right to alimony under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) after being abandoned by her husband, a prominent lawyer. The Supreme Court’s verdict in her favor sparked widespread controversy, leading to a political firestorm and the eventual passing of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, which diluted the judgment.

The teaser for “HAQ” wastes no time in establishing the fierce legal and ideological confrontation at the heart of the story. Yami Gautam, in a compelling performance, portrays the character of Shazia Bano, a woman fighting for her rights and dignity. Her powerful courtroom declaration, “I am not just a Muslim woman, but I am a Muslim woman of India, and I belong to this country. Hence, the law should treat me the same way as it treats other women of the country,” sets the tone for a film that aims to be more than just a legal drama.

Emraan Hashmi plays her husband and rival lawyer, Abbas, a man who appears to be an equal match in legal prowess. The teaser hints at the complex layers of their relationship, showing a personal dispute that escalates into a national battle over faith, women’s rights, and justice. The film’s synopsis, released by the makers, further clarifies its scope, stating that it “is the story of one woman’s fight for her rights and justice.”

“HAQ” is a fictionalized and dramatized account based on events from the book “Bano: Bharat ki Beti” by Jigna Vora. It promises to revisit one of India’s most controversial cases, raising important questions about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the intersection of personal belief and public policy. The film, which also stars Vartika Singh, Danish Husain, and Sheeba Chadha in pivotal roles, is set for a theatrical release on November 7, 2025. With its gripping subject matter and stellar cast, “HAQ” is poised to be a significant addition to the genre of socially relevant Indian cinema.