As the release date of Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam starrer ‘HAQ’ approaches on November 7, the makers of the film are now embroiled in a legal dispute. Shah Bano’s daughter Siddiqua Begum has issued a legal notice claiming that the filmmakers have used her mother’s life story without proper permission. The film is scheduled to release in theaters on November 7.
Shah Bano’s daughter files a court appeal against HAQ
According to reports, a legal notice has been sent to director Suparn Varma, producers Junglee Pictures and Baweja Studios, and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
“For an immediate ban on the publication, exhibition, promotion, or release of the upcoming film,” the notice sent by Shah Bano’s daughter Siddiqua Begum said.
Siddiqua’s lawyer, Tousif Z Warsi, told reporters that the filmmakers did not take consent from Shah Bano’s family before using her name or life story. “This film is based on the historic case of Mohammad Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum. For the first time in Indian history, a Muslim woman fought for maintenance and won the case… It is mandatory to take consent before using someone’s personal life or name, as it falls under the right to privacy.”
A lot of information has been distorted
Jubair Ahmad Khan, Shah Bano’s grandson, also spoke about the film being made without the family’s consent. “After the teaser was released, we came to know that a film has been made about my grandmother. A lot of information has been distorted in the teaser. This is our personal matter, which has been given a commercial perspective. They should have taken our permission. The common people will watch the film and think that it shows true events,” he said.
However, the makers of the film say that liberties have been taken to dramatize the events and that it is a fictional portrayal. “The film’s disclaimer clearly states that the film is inspired by two things: the 1985 Supreme Court verdict in favor of Shah Bano and a book titled ‘Bano, Bharat Ki Beti.’ This is a fictional portrayal, and not everything needs to be presented realistically,” said Ajay Bagadiya, the producer’s lawyer.
All About HAQ
The film is based on the landmark 1985 Supreme Court case Mohammad Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum, which significantly influenced women’s rights and maintenance laws in India.
The case began in 1978 when 62-year-old Shah Bano filed a petition in an Indore court seeking maintenance from her divorced husband, Mohammad Ahmed Khan, a prominent lawyer.
Shah Bano and Mohammad Ahmed Khan were married in 1932 and had five children—three sons and two daughters.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1985 that Shah Bano was entitled to maintenance under Section 125. However, the Rajiv Gandhi government enacted legislation the following year to overturn the court’s ruling.
The film stars Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam as an estranged couple. ‘Haq’ also stars Vartika Singh, Danish Husain, Sheeba Chadha, and Aseem Hattangady in lead roles.
The project is being produced under the banner of Junglee Pictures, which is being produced by Vineet Jain, Vishal Gurnani, Juhi Parekh Mehta, and Harman Baweja.
Directed by Suparn S Varma, ‘Haq’ will hit the theaters on November 7.