Haq under legal scanner: Shah Bano’s daughter moves MP High Court over ‘unauthorized’ portrayal
**Siddiqua Begum Khan Approaches MP High Court to Restrain Release of Film ‘Haq’**
Siddiqua Begum Khan, daughter and legal heir of Shah Bano Begum, has approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking to restrain the release of the upcoming film *Haq*. The film, starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam and directed by Suparn S. Verma, is based on the landmark 1985 Supreme Court case *Mohd Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum*, which played a pivotal role in securing maintenance rights for divorced Muslim women in India.
### Legal Action Over ‘Unauthorized’ Portrayal
Scheduled to release on November 7, 2025, *Haq* has come under judicial scrutiny following Siddiqua Begum’s claim that the filmmakers failed to obtain consent from Shah Bano’s legal heirs before depicting her personal life. The petition argues that the film distorts real-life personalities and private events, amounting to an unauthorized commercial exploitation of Shah Bano’s legacy.
Siddiqua’s plea states that the film causes emotional trauma by publicly showcasing her mother’s personal struggles, potentially damaging the family’s dignity and reputation. She asserts that she inherited her mother’s moral and personality rights, and that this unauthorized portrayal infringes upon those rights.
### Court Hearing and Filmmakers’ Defense
During the hearing before Justice Pranay Verma at the Indore Bench, the film’s producers, represented by Junglee Films and other legal counsel, contended that *Haq* contains a disclaimer declaring it a fictional work and not a biopic. They argued that this disclaimer exempts them from seeking consent from Shah Bano’s heirs.
The Court responded by asking the filmmakers to produce the disclaimer on record and clarified its role in protecting privacy.
Siddiqua’s lawyer emphasized that the objection lies not with the depiction of the Supreme Court judgment itself, which is public record, but with the fictionalized portrayal of Shah Bano’s personal life and hardships.
### Concerns Over Cinematograph Act and Certification
The petition further highlights that the film potentially violates provisions under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which prohibits certification of films that defame individuals or breach privacy. Siddiqua’s plea calls for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to revoke the censor certificate granted for the film’s release until proper consent is secured.
Prior to the court filing, Siddiqua had issued a legal notice to the producers, who reportedly refused to apologize or take legal responsibility for the lack of consent, prompting this judicial intervention.
### Next Steps
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has adjourned the matter for further hearing after reviewing the disclaimer and other pleadings.
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**Also Read:**
Yami Gautam on portraying Shah Bano in *Haq* — “This is a role any actor would dream of”
**Related Topics:**
Haq Box Office Collection | Bollywood News Live Updates
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