Haq Review: Yami Gautam Dhar Shines in Landmark Women’s Rights Drama

The most affecting moment in Haq comes in a voiceover by Yami Gautam Dhar’s Shazia Bano, who asks, “Biwi ka asli matlab kya hai?” It’s a deceptively simple question that lingers, prompting audiences to reconsider everyday words that, in legal and religious contexts, carry profound weight.

Directed by Suparn Varma, Haq delves into justice and personal law while showcasing standout performances, particularly from Yami Gautam Dhar. The film, inspired by the landmark Shah Bano case, explores complex issues such as secular law versus personal law, triple talaq, and the broader meaning of justice.

Plot Overview

The story follows Shazia (Yami Gautam Dhar), a homely, uneducated woman married to Abbas Khan (Emraan Hashmi), a successful lawyer. Their early years together are filled with joy, but as responsibilities mount, the romance begins to fade. The turning point comes when Abbas brings home a second wife, devastating Shazia. Advised by her mother-in-law to “adjust,” Shazia leaves with her children. Although Abbas initially provides maintenance, he soon halts it and later divorces her via triple talaq. Shazia’s legal battle for her rights forms the crux of the film.

Set in Uttar Pradesh, the first half effectively establishes the couple’s relationship. A subtle line early on defines Abbas’s character: when Shazia enters the kitchen for the first time, the house help remarks, “Ek cooker kharab hota hai, sahab doosra le aate hain.” This quiet observation foreshadows how Abbas treats Shazia herself. The film’s pacing is steady in the first half but begins to wobble after the interval.

Performance Highlights

Yami Gautam Dhar delivers a nuanced, restrained performance, carrying the film through its highs and lows. Her stunned disbelief when she confronts Abbas—“Aapne doosri shaadi kar li?”—is particularly powerful. She convincingly channels Shah Bano’s pain and helplessness throughout the courtroom sequences, even as occasional melodrama creeps into the writing.

Emraan Hashmi sheds his typical on-screen persona to portray Abbas, a calm yet calculating man. The chemistry between Yami and Emraan makes the unraveling of their relationship more impactful. Vartika Singh plays Abbas’s second wife, Saira, with understated grace, while Danish Husain provides solid support as Shazia’s father. Sheeba Chadha, as Shazia’s lawyer, reinforces the film’s balanced stance by portraying a Hindu woman defending a Muslim woman’s rights, emphasizing the narrative’s avoidance of any religious antagonism. Haq is more of a conversation starter than a flawless cinematic experience. While the courtroom drama follows familiar beats, the film’s heart lies in its exploration of women’s rights and justice. Suparn Varma’s intention to revive a landmark debate deserves appreciation, and the powerful performances, led by Yami Gautam Dhar, ensure that Haq leaves a lasting impression.