In an important turn of events, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed a request from Siddiqua Begum, who claims to be the daughter of Shah Bano. She sought to halt the release of the film Haq, which stars Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam Dhar. The movie has generated controversy as Siddiqua alleges it tells her mother’s story without family consent.
Siddiqua argued that Haq draws directly from her late mother’s life and personal experiences, particularly regarding the historic 1985 Supreme Court case that changed discussions around women’s rights in India. She contended that the film breaches the family’s privacy and misuses personal information under the pretense of artistic expression.
However, Justice Pranay Verma at the Indore Bench of the High Court rejected her claims, stating, “Privacy or reputation earned by a person during his or her lifetime extinguishes with his or her death. It cannot be inherited like property.”
The filmmakers defended their work, clarifying that Haq is not a biography but is inspired by the famous Supreme Court ruling in the case of Mohd Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum. They mentioned that the storyline is based on the published novel Bano, Bharat Ki Beti by Jigna Vora, focusing mainly on the legal proceedings rather than personal family issues.
The court affirmed the filmmakers’ position that Haq is a fictional piece inspired by a public court case. The High Court noted that since the film includes a disclaimer declaring it a dramatization and adaptation, it cannot be considered misleading. They emphasized that once a matter enters public record, privacy rights diminish, making it a valid subject for public discussion.
Additionally, the court pointed out that Siddiqua could have approached the Central government to challenge the film’s censor certificate instead of taking legal action.
Emraan Hashmi, during an earlier discussion, spoke about the sensitivity surrounding the topic. He assured that the team had approached the subject thoughtfully, focusing on inspiration rather than judgment.
Directed by Suparn S. Varma, Haq marks the first collaboration between Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam Dhar. The film has already received positive feedback from early screenings for its engaging storyline and performances.
With the court’s ruling in favor, Haq is set to hit theaters on November 7, as scheduled.
