Haq: Yami-Emraan's Film In Legal Trouble As Shah Bano's Family Moves To Court Alleging Breach Of Privacy

Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam's courtroom drama, Haq, is set to release on November 7. However, the film faces legal challenges just before its debut. Shah Bano's family claims the movie uses their story without permission. They allege a breach of privacy and lack of consent in portraying their personal history.

Shah Bano's granddaughter has approached the court to halt the film's release. Her grandson, Jubair Ahmad Khan, expressed surprise at discovering the film through its teaser online. He stated that the family was unaware of the movie until then.

Legal Action by Shah Bano's Family

Siddiqua Begum, Shah Bano's daughter, has filed a petition in Madhya Pradesh High Court to stop Haq from releasing. Lawyer Tauseef Warsi, representing her, told ANI that filmmakers used Shah Bano's name and life events without consulting or obtaining consent from her family.

"This film is based on the landmark case of M.A. Khan vs Shah Bano Begum. For the first time in Indian history, a Muslim woman fought for maintenance and won the case… It is mandatory to obtain someone's consent before using their personal life, name, as this falls under the right to privacy," Warsi claimed.

Jubair Ahmad Khan echoed these concerns about factual inaccuracies in the teaser. "When the teaser was released, we learned that a movie had been made about my grandmother. A lot of facts in the teaser are distorted. It is our private matter that has been given a commercial angle. They should have taken our permission. The common people will watch the movie and think it shows true events," he said.

Filmmakers' Response

The makers of Haq assert that while inspired by real events, it remains a fictional interpretation. Ajay Bagadiya, lawyer for the producers, stated that "The disclaimer of the movie clearly says that this movie is inspired by two things: the 1985 Supreme Court judgement in favour of Shah Bano and a book titled Bano, Bharat Ki Beti. It is a fictional depiction, and it is not necessary that everything is presented factually."

Haq explores the 1985 Shah Bano case which significantly impacted India's women's rights discourse. Directed by Suparn S Verma, it stars Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam as an estranged couple battling in court.

Production Details

The film features Vartika Singh, Danish Husain, Sheeba Chadha, and Aseem Hattangady alongside Hashmi and Gautam. Backed by Junglee Pictures and producers Vineet Jain, Vishal Gurnani, Juhi Parekh Mehta, and Harman Baweja, Haq aims for a November 7 release unless halted by court orders.