MUMBAI: In a powerful move set to ignite a national conversation, a teaser for the upcoming film “HAQ” has been officially released, starring actors Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi. The film is a gripping courtroom drama that re-examines the landmark 1985 Shah Bano case, a legal battle that redefined women’s rights and sparked a nationwide debate on personal law in India.
Directed by Suparn S Varma, the film is inspired by the historic Supreme Court judgment in the case of Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum. The case centered on a 62-year-old divorced Muslim woman, Shah Bano, who fought for her right to alimony under a secular law. Her victory in the Supreme Court, however, ignited a political firestorm that led to the passing of a new act that diluted the judgment.
The film’s teaser powerfully captures the fierce legal and ideological confrontation at the heart of the story. Yami Gautam portrays a character named Shazia Bano, a fictionalized version of Shah Bano. In a compelling courtroom scene, her character delivers a poignant dialogue that sets the tone for the film: “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 it treats other women of the country.”
Emraan Hashmi plays her husband and rival lawyer, Abbas, a character who appears to be her equal in legal prowess and who challenges her fight for justice. The teaser hints at the complex layers of their relationship, showing how a personal dispute can escalate into a national debate on faith, women’s rights, and justice.
“HAQ” is a fictionalized account based on the book “Bano: Bharat ki Beti” by Jigna Vora. The film promises to revisit one of India’s most controversial legal cases and raise important questions about a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the intersection of personal belief and public policy. With its gripping subject matter and stellar cast, “HAQ” is poised to be a significant addition to the genre of socially relevant Indian cinema and is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 7, 2025.
