By Tanveer Zaidi
The upcoming courtroom drama Haq, starring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, delves into one of the most pivotal legal and social battles in India’s post-independence history — the Shah Bano case of 1985.
The film offers a gripping fictional retelling of the real-life controversy that ignited a nationwide debate on gender justice, secularism, and the clash between constitutional law and religious personal law.
Inspired by a Landmark Case
At the heart of Haq lies the true story of Shah Bano Begum, a 62-year-old Muslim woman who, after being divorced by her husband, Mohd. Ahmed Khan sought maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Her courageous legal battle against her affluent ex-husband — a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court — became a watershed moment in Indian judicial history.
The Supreme Court’s judgment in Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum upheld her right to maintenance, asserting the supremacy of secular law over personal law in matters of justice.
The verdict sparked intense political and religious debates, eventually leading to the passage of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, which effectively overturned the judgment.
A Fictionalized Cinematic Lens
In Haq, Yami Gautam steps into the powerful role of ‘Shazia Bano’, a character modeled on Shah Bano, bringing emotional depth and quiet strength to the screen.
Emraan Hashmi plays her husband ‘Abbas’, portraying the complex dynamics of a marriage caught between faith, law, and morality.
The film, while dramatized for cinematic effect, remains rooted in the spirit of Shah Bano’s struggle — a woman’s fight for dignity, equality, and justice within a deeply patriarchal system.
The screenplay is reportedly inspired by the book Bano: Bharat Ki Beti, authored by former journalist Jigna Vora, which explores the human and emotional dimensions behind the historic case.
Controversy Ahead of Release
Even before its release, Haq has found itself embroiled in legal controversy. Siddiqua Begum, Shah Bano’s daughter, has issued a legal notice to both the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the filmmakers, alleging that the movie was made without the family’s consent.
She claims that her mother’s personal life has been misrepresented and exploited for creative liberty.
As the controversy unfolds, Haq finds itself mirroring the very themes it depicts — the conflict between personal truth, public debate, and the pursuit of justice.
The film is expected to reignite conversations about women’s rights, secularism, and legal reform in modern India.
(By Tanveer Zaidi (Author–Actor–Educationist)
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