HAQ starring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, takes a closer look at the historic and controversial Shah Bano case of 1985. The film is already facing controversy. The film is directed by Suparn Varma (known for Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai and The Family Man 2). Haq is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 7.
The official trailer of ‘Haq’ has been released, promising an intense, explosive, and high-stakes legal drama. Which takes a close look at the historic and controversial 1985 Shah Bano case, where Yami will play a fictionalized version of Bano. The 137-second trailer begins with a conversation between Shazia and Abbas, where Abbas says, “The matter shouldn’t have reached this stage. You thought I would be scared?” But Shazia reminds him, “You were supposed to keep your word,” although he ‘corrects’ her, noting that she had earlier claimed that it was about her “dignity.”
As the trailer progresses, Shazia (played by Yami) and Abbas (played by Imran) are shown when they were completely in love and a happily married couple. The trailer takes a turn when Imran marries another woman; their lives fall apart. However, Shazia is not ready to “share” her husband, as many other women have done, and she says so fearlessly. Abbas then completely throws him out of his life. In a further blow, Abbas divorces Shazia through triple talaq and even stops her maintenance. With no other options, Shazia went to court seeking justice for herself and her three children in a case that “pitted Muslim personal law against secular law.”
Shazia faces the wrath of religious fundamentalists after taking her husband Abbas to court to demand equal rights under the law as an Indian citizen. Even though many members of her own community protest against Shazia, she is undeterred. “I am not just a Muslim woman. I am a Muslim woman from Hindustan, and I belong to this country,” she insists as the trailer ends.
What is the Shah Bano case?
Mohammad Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum, or the Shah Bano maintenance case, is considered a legal milestone in the fight for the protection of Muslim women’s rights in India. In 1978, 62-year-old Shah Bano filed a petition in an Indore court seeking maintenance from her divorced husband, a wealthy and well-known lawyer, Mohammad Ahmed Khan.
The two married in 1932 and had five children. In 1985, the Supreme Court ruled that Shah Bano was entitled to maintenance under Section 125. However, a year later, the Rajiv Gandhi government enacted legislation to overturn the court’s ruling.
Haq Movie Controversy
Shah Bano’s daughter Siddiqua Begum has sent a legal notice to the makers of the Haq movie. She has demanded an immediate stop to its release. According to the notice, Shah Bano’s personal story has been used in the film without her consent.
Her lawyer, Tousif Z Warsi, said that the family was not aware of how Shah Bano’s life was depicted in the film. He insisted that the script and story should be shared first. According to Warsi, the filmmakers should have taken written consent from Shah Bano’s biological daughters before releasing it.
After Vishal Mishra’s soulful track “Qubool” from the movie ‘Haq,’ the latest track, “Dil Tod Gaya Tu,” has been released. Where Emraan and Yami beautifully portray heartbreak and silence.
Vishal Mishra said, “This song is very close to my heart. ‘Dil Tod Gaya Tu’ comes from a place of real pain and reflection. It’s about love that changes you and the silence that follows. Emraan and Yami have beautifully conveyed that emotion on screen.”
Mandar Thakur, CEO of Times Music/Junglee Music, said, After receiving the wonderful response from ‘Qubool’, ‘Dil Tod Gaya Tu’ carries forward the soulful essence of ‘Haq.’ Vishal Mishra continues to create music that resonates deeply, and with Emraan and Yami’s performances, this song becomes an unforgettable cinematic experience.”
“Dil Tod Gaya Tu” by ‘Haq’ is out now on Junglee Music, available on all streaming platforms and YouTube.
“HAQ” also stars Vartika Singh, Danish Husain, Sheeba Chadha, and Aseem Hattangady. The story, screenplay, and dialogues of “Haq” are written by Reshu Nath. It has music by Vishal Mishra, cinematography by Pratham Mehta, and editing by Ninad Khanolkar. The film is produced by Junglee Pictures, Insomnia Films, and Baweja Studios. “Haq” will be released in theaters on November 7.