युवा आवेग

The famous Shah Bano case has once again come up in public discourse with the release of the 2025 Hindi film Haq, which stars Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi. The film revisits one of India's most significant court cases, which influenced the country's conversation on gender justice, religion, and secular law. It is billed as a courtroom drama based on actual events.

200.1) The Real Story behind the Case

Mohammad Ahmed Khan, a rich lawyer, divorced Shah Bano Begum, a 62-year-old Muslim woman from Indore, in 1978. She was unable to sustain herself after her divorce, so she filed a petition under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for monthly maintenance. Her spouse claimed that his obligation ceased after the iddat period, which occurs a few months after divorce, in accordance with Muslim personal law.

When the matter reached the Supreme Court in 1985, a five-judge panel decided in Shah Bano's favour. The Court determined that Section 125 CrPC was a secular clause that covered all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs. It emphasised that constitutional rights to equality and justice superseded individual religion laws by stating that a divorced Muslim woman was entitled to maintenance if she was unable to support herself.

Many people celebrated this ruling as a turning point for Indian women's rights. It reinforced the idea that all citizens must be equally protected by the law. However, hardline Muslim organisations, who felt that the decision violated Islamic personal law, also staged large-scale protests. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 was passed by the then-government in response to this backlash, thereby lessening the significance of the Shah Bano ruling. This decision is still brought up in discussions concerning the Uniform Civil Code and how to strike a balance between constitutional law and religion.

200.2) Haq - The Film Inspired by a Landmark Case

Haq, which was produced by Junglee Pictures and Baweja Studios and directed by Suparn Verma, was released on November 7, 2025. Although it is not a straight biopic, the movie is inspired by the circumstances surrounding the Shah Bano case. Rather, it depicts a fictionalised portrayal of a woman's fight for justice against social and religious limitations, reflecting the bravery and tenacity of Shah Bano.

Haq examines issues of faith, gender equality, and the right to dignity via its story. The story is emotionally impactful and socially important because it emphasises the internal struggle of a woman divided between tradition and her constitutional rights. "A reminder of the case that once shook the entire nation, dividing society between personal faith and constitutional rights," according to Emraan Hashmi, who plays a lawyer in the movie.

The producers have made it clear that Haq is a work of fiction based on actual events rather than a factual retelling. When the film encountered legal issues prior to its distribution, this distinction became essential.

200.3) Legal Controversy Surrounding the Film

Siddiqua Begum Khan, the daughter of Shah Bano, petitioned the Madhya Pradesh High Court to stop the release of Haq before it opened in theatres. She asserted that the film misrepresented and commercialised her mother and utilised her life narrative without permission. Additionally, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the film's director, and producers received a legal notice.

Nevertheless, the motion was denied by the High Court, permitting the release of the movie. The judges took note of Haq's disclaimer, which states that it is a fictionalised work based on a factual situation and does not precisely replicate any real person or event. The Court further noted that the scope of such claims by legal heirs is limited because a person's right to privacy expires at their death. The court determined that there was no legal reason to prevent the film's release because the CBFC had already certified it.

This case brought up more general moral and legal issues, such as whether a filmmaker may use a public court case as inspiration without the family's permission. Where does inspiration end and deception begin? And do prominent personalities lose any privacy when their narratives are documented in court or history?

200.4) Why the Story Still Matters?

Nearly forty years later, the Shah Bano case is still relevant because it is at the intersection of constitutional justice, religious freedom, and women's rights. It demonstrated how the judiciary can defend people's rights from societal and religious obstacles. In a new era where the fight for women's equality is still underway and discussions over a Uniform Civil Code once again dominate public discourse, the movie Haq revisits these concerns.

In addition to honouring Shah Bano's bravery, Haq asks viewers to consider what justice entails in a multicultural society by retelling her battle. It serves as a reminder that laws and ideologies must coexist with justice and compassion, and that the questions India poses now are still influenced by the actions of one woman in 1985.