Haq (2025) Movie ft. Danish, Emraan, and Yami
Director Suparn Verma takes on one of India’s most talked-about legal cases and turns it into a gripping courtroom drama. Haq, starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi, hit theaters on November 7, 2025, bringing the historic 1985 Shah Bano case to life. The film doesn’t just tell a story—it opens up a conversation about women’s rights, personal laws, and justice that still matters today.
The cast also features Danish Husain, Sheeba Chaddha, Vartika Singh, and Aseem Hattangady in key roles. Backed by Junglee Pictures, Insomnia Films, and Baweja Studios, with writing by Reshu Nath and music by Vishal Mishra, this 136-minute film aims to make you think and feel in equal measure.
A Personal Battle
The story centers on Shazia Bano, played by Yami Gautam, whose life falls apart when her husband Abbas Khan brings home a second wife. Set in late 1970s Uttar Pradesh, Shazia initially tries to hold her family together despite the betrayal and humiliation she faces daily.
When Abbas stops sending money for their three children, Shazia decides to take him to court. His response? He divorces her through triple talaq, thinking that will shut her up. But Shazia doesn’t back down. What starts as a fight for basic financial support grows into something much bigger—a legal battle that questions how personal religious laws treat women versus what the Constitution promises them. The case eventually reaches the Supreme Court, making Shazia’s voice heard across the country.
Yami Gautam Shows What She’s Really Capable Of
I’ve watched Yami Gautam in several films, but nothing prepared me for what she does here. This is hands down her finest work. She brings Shazia to life with such raw emotion that you forget you’re watching an actress. Her pain feels real, her anger justified, and her determination absolutely unshakeable.
What struck me most were the courtroom scenes. Yami doesn’t shout or overact—instead, she lets the character’s quiet strength do the talking. You see a woman who’s been broken but refuses to stay down. That’s not easy to pull off, but she makes it look natural. This performance will be remembered.
Emraan Hashmi Takes a Different Route
Emraan Hashmi usually plays charming, likeable characters. Here, he’s Abbas Khan—a man whose biggest flaw isn’t cruelty but entitlement. He genuinely believes he’s done nothing wrong, which makes him harder to hate and somehow more frustrating to watch. Emraan plays Abbas with restraint, avoiding the temptation to turn him into a cartoon villain.
That said, I felt some scenes needed more punch. The triple talaq moment, which should have been explosive, felt somewhat muted. Still, Emraan delivers a solid performance that adds layers to what could have been a one-note character.
Strong Support from Every Corner
The supporting actors deserve as much credit as the leads. Aseem Hattangady plays Shazia’s lawyer with calm authority—he’s the steady hand guiding her through chaos. Danish Husain, as Shazia’s father, captures the internal conflict of a man caught between tradition and love for his daughter beautifully.
Sheeba Chaddha brings professionalism to her lawyer role, while Vartika Singh as the second wife Saira makes you understand her position even when you disagree with it. Everyone in this film seems to understand their character’s motivations, which makes the whole thing feel lived-in and believable.
The Film Gets the Big Things Right
What impressed me most about Haq is how it handles such a controversial topic without preaching. Suparn Verma trusts the audience to draw their own conclusions. The film doesn’t paint anyone as purely good or evil—even Abbas has moments where you understand why he thinks he’s right.
The writing by Reshu Nath keeps things moving without drowning you in legal terms. The first half especially works well, building up the characters so you actually care what happens to them. The dialogue hits hard when it needs to, with several lines that made the audience in my theater react audibly.
Critics and Audiences Agree
Filmfare gave Haq 4.5 stars and called it proof that “moral courage can indeed be cinematic.” The Times of India matched that rating, saying the film’s “simplicity becomes its biggest triumph.” The Indian Express awarded 3.5 stars, praising how it shows “an ordinary woman who found extraordinary strength.”
Hindustan Times gave it 3.5 stars too, noting that while not perfect, “powerful performances carry it through.” On IMDb, viewers rated it 8.9 out of 10, with many calling it a must-watch. People particularly praised Yami Gautam’s performance and the film’s courage in tackling such a sensitive subject without sensationalizing it.
My Take on Haq
Haq is a film that needed to be made, and I’m glad it exists. It brings attention to a case that shaped Indian law but isn’t widely known among younger audiences. While the execution isn’t flawless—the pacing sags, the music disappoints, and the climax could hit harder—the film succeeds where it matters most: the performances and the message.
Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi both turn in career-best work that justifies buying a ticket. The film doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable questions about faith, tradition, and women’s rights. It treats its subject with respect while refusing to provide easy answers. That takes guts.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
