Haq Review: Yami Gautam Leaves Us Speechless In This Powerful But Faltering Courtroom Drama Ft Emraan Hashmi!
Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam starrer is directed by Suparn Verma. Here's our two cents on the film.
3.5 / 5
There is an ample amount of conversation around women’s rights and empowerment, but once in a while, a good film that acts as a reminder of that is, in my opinion, required! Historically speaking, there have been so many revolutionary moments that have become the foundation for the little freedom that women get, I’d say, enjoy in the present world. Haq takes inspiration from one of these powerful stories in which the Supreme Court passed the landmark judgement on the Shah Bano Vs Ahmed Khan Triple Talaq case. The film stars Yami Gautam, Emraan Hashmi, and Sheeba Chaddha. Directed by Suparn Verma, Haq is impactful but also distracts us with its melodramatic nature. Read on.
Plot
Haq is inspired by journalist Jigna Vora’s book ‘Bano: Bharat Ki Beti’, which is based on the events leading up to the verdict by the highest court of justice on the Shah Bano Vs Ahmed Khan case. The fictionalised character Shazia Bano (Yami Gautam) falls in love with a lawyer Ahmed Khan (Emraan Hashmi), and the two start a happy married life with Shazia completely unaware of the drastic turn that her “too good to be true” life would take. Shazia gives birth to three kids and while the woman is completely immersed in taking care of the kids, Ahmed gets married again!
But Haq is a story which completely stands true to one of its dialogues, “Kabhi Kabhi pyaar kaafi nahi hota, izzat bhi chahiye” (Love is not enough in a relationship, respect matters). Ahmed gradually distances himself from Shazia, which forces the latter to leave her husband’s place. The battle begins when Ahmed stops sending the monthly allowances for his wife and kids, and frustrated by Shazia’s court case on the same, he announces divorce through the process of Triple Talaq, a power bestowed to him by Sharia (Islamic Law). Shazia Bano moves to the secular court again to fight for her Haq and raise her voice against Triple Talaq!
Performances
For me, Haq became a memorable watch, mostly because of its performances. And on top of this list is Yami Gautam. The pain is Yami’s eyes, the anger on her face, the resilience and the courage displayed in the actor’s performance are haunting, and in a good way. Yami Gautam was one with Shazia Bano, making it a story of many who are victims of a society that is made by and for men. Even in the dullests moments of the film, I couldn’t unsee Yami Gautam for the kind of rawness she brought to the table. “Mind blowingly-brilliant” would still be an understatement for her delivery during a monologue. The close-up shot of the actor speaking, rather reminding us about how women are the marginalised group in a society, makes for a moment where everybody listens. Every human with a heart will feel it. Period.
Also, the eyes chico, they never lie!
Emraan Hashmi as Ahmed Khan fits the role with perfection. He is spot on in making us hate this evil character for every wrong that he did to his wife and children. Even in softer moments, the was natural, making the transitions from one emotion to another look free-flowing.
Sheeba Chadha’s screen presence is limited but powerful. And all the supporting actors have also done their bit well, to make Haq a performance-driven film!
Post-Interval Surprise
The courtroom scenes were reserved for the second half making the post-interval watch interesting. The drama reduces, the intensity increases. The face-off begins, and the monologues happen. Haq sheds light on the arguments that unfold in the court. The film shifts focus to showing the battles that Shazia and Ahmed fight individually and against each other on all fronts. Haq maintains a softer tone in its treatment of religion and belief, instead it emphasises more how women are affected by it all. However, the second half packs in a lot, which brings me to the problems that I have with Haq.
Before that, in hindsight, the film has a soul-touching music album. Gotta go check that out!
Also Read: Single Salma Review: Huma Qureshi’s Film Is Cursed With The Overdone Male-Gaze Narrative!
Let’s Keep It Safe!
In the first half, the story invests a lot in building Shazia and Ahmed’s love-life and in the process, it adds more drama and melodrama through the background score. NGL, in some moments, it felt more like a daily soap than film. Haq strives to tell us an important story that went down in history, the drama could have been avoided as it only added to the distraction. I was seated to watch the incidents that made a loving and caring wife knock the court’s door for injustice, and to show them in all their honesty, a screenplay that was real real, edgy and less polished, was needed, but the film falters in these aspects. While Haq has its intentions well-placed, it also disappoints with the oversimplification of a complicated case.
Verdict
Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi starrer Haq is a film that needs to be “seen” despite all the faults it carries. Yes, the film plays safe, adds drama when not needed, simplifies a historical judgement, and has its weak moments. But the bottom line remains that Haq also brings an important case to the forefront, it speaks strongly about women’s rights through the dialogues, the performances are spot on, and the message is delivered impactfully. Haq releases on November 7 in theatres near you. I’d say, watch!
First Published: November 05, 2025 1:57 PM
