'HAQ': Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam's film in fresh trouble, Shah Bano's legal heirs demand immediate stay on release

The upcoming Bollywood film "HAQ," starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam, is facing legal challenges just days before its scheduled release on November 7, 2025. Siddiqua Begum, the daughter and legal heir of the late Shah Bano, whose 1985 legal battle for maintenance after divorce became a landmark case in India, has sent a legal notice to the filmmakers, alleging unauthorized depiction of her mother's personal life.

The legal notice demands an immediate halt to the film's release, promotion, and screenings. It claims that "HAQ" portrays Shah Bano's personal life, including private family events, without the consent of her legal heirs, which constitutes defamation and a violation of personality and publicity rights. According to the notice, the filmmakers have failed to seek written permission from Shah Bano's family before dramatizing events from her life.

Tousif Z Warsi, the lawyer representing Siddiqua Begum, stated that the family was unaware of how Shah Bano's life had been portrayed in the film and insisted that the script and storyline must be shared first. He added that written consent from Shah Bano's biological daughters is necessary before the release. Warsi cited previous instances where high courts had stayed film releases over similar concerns.

Siddiqa Begum claims that the film has been conceptualized and promoted without any communication with her or her family. She argues that this disrespects Shah Bano's memory and amounts to the "unauthorized use, distortion, and commercialization of private life events," infringing upon fundamental and statutory rights under Indian law.

In response to the controversy, Emraan Hashmi, who plays the role of Ahmad Khan, Shah Bano's husband, has defended the film, stating that it is inspired by Shah Bano's legal fight for justice and emphasizes her identity as an Indian Muslim. He clarified that the film follows her struggle through the Sessions Court, High Court, and Supreme Court. Hashmi added that the film is pro-women and raises the issue of their dignity and equality of rights, and that it does not malign any community. He has described himself as a "liberal Muslim" and stated that his own secular upbringing allowed him to approach the role with balance.

Yami Gautam, who plays the role of Shazia Bano, has stated that the film is not intended to offend any community and that it aims to portray a significant legal and social episode. She also confirmed that the film has not faced any censorship issues in the UAE and will be accessible to viewers aged 15 and above.

"HAQ" is directed by Suparn Verma and is described by the makers as a love story that evolves into a courtroom debate addressing the Uniform Civil Code under Article 44 of the Constitution. The film also stars Sheeba Chaddha and Vartika Singh.

The controversy surrounding "HAQ" has reignited discussions about the sensitive nature of portraying real-life events on screen and the importance of obtaining consent from individuals or their legal heirs. The film's release date remains uncertain as the legal battle unfolds.

Recently, the legal heirs of Shah Bano Begum have filed a petition in Indore High Court seeking an immediate stay on the release of the film. They claim that the movie hurts the sentiments of the Muslim community and portrays Sharia law in a misogynistic light and that the makers of the film have no legal rights from the legal heirs of Shah Bano Begum. The Indore High Court is expected to hear the matter shortly.