- Inspired by the landmark Shah Bano legal battle for maintenance rights.
- Yami Gautam shines as a mother fighting for her dignity.
- Emraan Hashmi portrays a sophisticated but emotionally manipulative legal antagonist.
- Suparn Verma directs a mature narrative centered on secular law.
Courtroom dramas often rely on shouting matches and high stakes theatrics, but Suparn Verma’s Haq takes a far more chilling and effective route. Inspired by the real life landmark Shah Bano case, the film moves away from the typical legal narrative to tell a deeply human story about a mother’s fight against a rigged system. It is a fiercely gripping, beautifully restrained piece of cinema that remains hauntingly relevant.
The film opens with a powerful metaphor for the disposable nature of women in a patriarchal household. When Shazia Bano (Yami Gautam) marries Abbas Khan (Emraan Hashmi), she notices three pressure cookers in the kitchen. She is told that Abbas doesn’t believe in mending old things, he simply replaces them. True to this cold philosophy, after Shazia delivers their third child, she is pushed aside for a new wife. This “rebound” marriage, rooted in family promises and old flames, becomes the catalyst for a historic legal collision.
What makes Haq stand out is the characterization of Abbas Khan. Emraan Hashmi plays a man who is the definition of a gentleman on the surface. He is educated, sophisticated, and never raises his voice or his hand. Instead, he kills mentally and scars emotionally. His weapons are cunning manipulation and a complete insensitivity to the feelings of others. Hashmi plays this role with a chilling stillness, avoiding melodrama to highlight the terrifying reality of modern, polite patriarchy.
The heart of the movie lies in the courtroom battle. Abbas is a high profile lawyer, but Shazia knows the Quran like the back of her hand. Their clash becomes a national debate on gender ideology, identity, and love. Yami Gautam delivers a career best performance, portraying Shazia as a tigress fighting for her “Haq” or right to maintenance. She isn’t just fighting for a check; she is fighting for her children and her dignity against a system designed to protect men.
This production by Junglee Pictures, Insomnia Films, and Baweja Studios perfectly captures the 1985 Supreme Court ruling that granted Shah Bano lifelong maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC. By framing this secular law as a victory for all citizens, the film manages to be both an “eco-friendly” nod to sustainable justice and a masterclass in “clean beauty” storytelling. Every frame is polished, and every performance is measured.
Haq is a landmark moment in cinema. It proves that a story doesn’t need to scream to be heard. It is engaging, immersive, and definitely worth every bit of your time!
