Emraan Hashmi: 'Haq' Avoids Identity Politics in Retelling of Shah Bano Case

Post by : Mina Rahman

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi will appear opposite Yami Gautam in Haq, a courtroom drama inspired by the landmark Mohd Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum case. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, the film revisits one of India’s most contested legal episodes. In a recent interview, Hashmi spoke about the film’s objectives, the complexities of dramatizing this chapter, and whether the project risks becoming embroiled in identity politics. He insisted the makers intend to show events as they unfolded, not to push a political or religious agenda.

The narrative of Haq takes its cue from the 1985 Supreme Court judgment in the Shah Bano matter, which focused on a 62-year-old Muslim woman’s claim for maintenance and touched off a nationwide debate over women’s rights, personal law, and secular values. The original judgment applied Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code and provoked strong reactions that ultimately led to legislative interventions. By dramatizing this episode, Haq seeks to examine the legal, emotional and ethical tensions that shaped the public conversation on gender justice and religious freedoms.

Asked whether the film might be perceived as engaging in identity politics, Hashmi emphasized the production’s neutral stance. He said the team’s goal is transparency: to depict how events occurred rather than to endorse or condemn any side. According to him, the film refrains from moralising or sensationalising, leaving interpretation to viewers rather than delivering a prescriptive message.

Hashmi also acknowledged the inherent risks of tackling such material. Projects grounded in real-world social and political disputes can draw intense scrutiny, particularly in the age of rapid online reaction. Still, he expressed faith in contemporary audiences’ ability to recognise genuine storytelling. He suggested that viewers are better equipped today to distinguish between propaganda and nuanced cinematic treatment.

Early responses to Haq’s trailer have been largely positive, Hashmi noted, with many online reactions praising the film’s measured tone. He said most comments underscore the production’s realism and balance, and that few have accused the makers of politicising the subject or mistiming its release.

Yami Gautam plays a pivotal role in Haq, embodying the legal and rights-based dimensions of the story. Director Subhash Kapoor, known for courtroom dramas such as Jolly LLB, applies his experience to keep the film anchored in legal detail and dramatic realism.

The release of Haq coincides with continuing national debates over personal laws, gender equality and religious reform. By revisiting the Shah Bano episode, the film aims to stimulate discussion about the relationship between faith and constitutional rights and to prompt reflection on the progress — and unfinished business — since 1985.

With Haq, Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam enter material that blends legal history with social conscience. The makers maintain the film does not adopt a moral verdict but instead seeks to present an accountable account of events, allowing audiences to form their own conclusions.