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Shah Bano's Daughter Fights 'Haq' Movie Release Amid Family Privacy Battle

Shah Bano's daughter is taking legal action against the upcoming film 'Haq' just days before its scheduled release. She claims the movie copies her mother's private struggles without family consent. The producers argue it's fictionalized drama based on public court records. The High Court has postponed the hearing until the filmmakers submit their official disclaimer.

Key Points: Shah Bano Daughter Seeks Ban on Yami Gautam Haq Movie

  • Siddiqua Begum files petition against movie's unauthorized family portrayal
  • Film dramatizes landmark 1985 Supreme Court maintenance case
  • Producers claim fiction based on public court records
  • Court postpones hearing pending disclaimer submission
2 min read

Shah Bano's heir seeks ban on movie 'Haq' days before premiere

Shah Bano's daughter Siddiqua Begum challenges 'Haq' movie in High Court, claiming unauthorized use of family's private story days before release.

Shah Bano's heir seeks ban on movie 'Haq' days before premiere
"This movie is not just inspired—it's like a full copy of Shah Bano's private struggles - Tousif Warsi, Lawyer"

Indore, Nov 4

With just three days until its slated 7th November release, the Yami Gautam Dhar-Emraan Hashmi starrer 'Haq' has slammed into a legal barricade at the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Siddiqua Begum Khan, daughter of the iconic Shah Bano Begum, has filed a petition, decrying the film's unauthorised raid on her mother's private saga without a whisper of consent from the family.

Directed by Suparn S Varma and backed by Junglee Pictures alongside Baweja Studios, 'Haq' dramatises the 1985 Supreme Court bombshell in 'Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum'.

The 1985 court decision changed old rules. It said a divorced Muslim woman must get money for living expenses from her ex-husband, using a general law called Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

In the movie, actress Yami Gautam plays Shazia Bano, a character based on Shah Bano. She fights in court against the character Abbas, played by actor Emraan Hashmi.

The story comes from the book Bano: Bharat Ki Beti by Jigna Vora. In a court hearing at the Indore Bench of Justice Pranay Verma, lawyer Tousif Warsi spoke for Siddiqua.

He said, "This movie is not just inspired--it's like a full copy of Shah Bano's private struggles. The teasers make her look bad and turn real suffering into made-up stories. We daughters never gave permission. The CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) approved it without checking properly!"

He showed an earlier legal notice sent to the movie makers and the CBFC.

He criticised the trailers for inventing fake events while using her mother's real name and life. The producers replied by pointing to a disclaimer in the film.

They said 'Haq' is "made-up fiction" based on public court records--no real biography, so no permission is required. CBFC lawyers added, "Anything in public records can be used freely; it's just inspired, not harming anyone."

Justice Verma commented, "If she has struggled, would it not be credit for her why derogation. It can be interpreted...as a person fighting for her rights," the court orally said, But the court observed the disclaimer was not in the court files yet, so the case was postponed.

The bench further asked them to produce the disclaimer tomorrow; the hearing will continue on Tuesday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The producers have a point though - court cases are public records. If they're just using legal facts and adding fictional elements with proper disclaimers, what's the issue? Many biopics take creative liberties.
S
Sarah B
As someone who studied this case in law school, I think it's important to tell these stories. Shah Bano's fight paved the way for many women. But the family's feelings matter too - there should be a balance.
A
Arjun K
The daughter is absolutely right to protect her mother's legacy. Making someone's personal suffering into a dramatic movie without consulting the family is disrespectful. Hope the court gives justice to Siddiqua Begum. 🙏
M
Michael C
Interesting legal question here - where do we draw the line between public record and private life? The Supreme Court case is history, but the personal trauma belongs to the family. Tough call for the judges.
K
Kavya N
I remember my grandmother talking about this case when I was growing up. It was such a sensitive issue. Filmmakers should be more responsible when handling real people's stories, especially when family members are still alive.
V
Vikram M
While I understand the family's concerns, I think telling important stories from Indian legal history through cinema can

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