Haq’ Release and Confrontation: Shah Bano Begum’s Daughter’s High Court Petition Rejected

Shah Bano Begum has written a famous chapter in India’s judicial history, and that history has also come into the spotlight through a new Bollywood film. Yet, there is a socio-cultural conflict in the courts right now. Recently, a petition was dismissed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which sought a stay on the release of the film. Let’s take a closer look at the matter.

Background

The film ‘Haq’, directed by Suparn S. Varma, starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam Dhar, is a courtroom drama, which many say is based on or inspired by the life of Shah Bano Begum.

After much discussion, the film was scheduled for release on November 7, 2025.

But before that, legal hurdles began against the film, because of allegations about the character theme or the story context.

Application and Complaint

Meanwhile, Siddiqua Begum Khan, who is Shah Bano Begum’s daughter, filed a petition in the court, claiming that the film was based on some incidents from her mother’s personal life, but it was not made with her permission and presented it in a false/embarrassing manner.

The court said that although the film was merely ‘inspired’, some parts were left with intimate experiences of her mother’s life, which were made without the permission of family members.

The petition also sought a hearing on whether to order a ‘stay’ or delay in the release of the film before it was released.

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The court’s decision

However, on November 6, 2025 (in the Madhya Pradesh High Court), the petition was dismissed. The court argued that the petitioner had not provided sufficient information to show that the film illegally used known incidents from her mother’s life or publicly exposed her personal identity without permission. In simple terms, the judges assumed that even though an ‘opinion’ was given in the form of a “please”-type demand, the situation was not legally clear.

The film has been approved by the producer and the censor board — for example, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) gave it a UA (13+) certificate on 28 October 2025.

Background: Shah Bano case

To understand the whole story, we need to go back a little. In 1978, Shah Bano Begum filed a bail petition seeking maintenance from her ex-husband. In 1985, in the case of Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India ruled that a Muslim divorced woman has the right to maintenance in the future.

After the settlement, the government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986 in 1986, which reversed many of the decisions.

This history is not only legal — it also had a major impact on contemporary social and religious debates. Therefore, the film ‘Haq’ is seen as a historical film on the one hand, and a controversial boundary on the other.

Analysis: Why is this case important?

First, the similarities and differences between films and personal lives are now a new topic of discussion on social media and the media. Whose life story was inspired by it, whether it was approved or not, is a matter of discussion.

Second, the conflict between freedom of film release versus the right to personal/family privacy — this conflict is perhaps clearer now than before. In this case, the court’s decision has indicated that — just saying “sorry, there was a mistake” will not stop the release, there are information science and legal issues.

Third, the historical importance of the previous trial — especially the Shah Bano case — reminds us that it is not just entertainment; the film can be the center of discussion and debate in the context of social relations, religion-law-women’s rights.

What will happen in the future?

The film ‘Haq’ is being released and may go to record box office, there will be discussions. But along with that, there may be —

• An appeal on behalf of the family, or a new case regarding individual rights.
• Criticism or support for the presentation of the film on social media, in the press.
• The division between historical films and narrative films will become clearer to the audience.
• The legal challenges facing other biographical or true-life films will become more visible.

The incident that has happened in the last few days — the rejection of the appeal of Shah Bano Begum’s daughter — is not just about the release of a film; it points to the growing relationship between the individual, family, religion, law, and entertainment in Indian society. The release of ‘Haq’ can be a big platform for history, women’s rights, cinema freedo,m and social sentiment.