The legal heirs of Shah Bano Begum have filed a petition in Indore High Court seeking an immediate stay on the release of the upcoming film ‘HAQ’ starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi. The film is slated to hit the screens on November 7.
The family members, in their petition through their Counsel Adv Tousif Warsi, have reportedly claimed that the movie hurts the sentiments of the Muslim community and portrays Sharia law in a misogynistic light. They also allegedly claim that the makers of the film have no legal rights from the legal heirs of Shah Bano Begum.
The Indore High Court is expected to hear the matter shortly. The makers of the film are being represented by Hitesh Jain, Parinaam Law, and Ameet Naik of Naik & Naik.
Meanwhile, while the film’s trailer has been widely appreciated, the film has garnered the interest of all.
Earlier, India Today had reported that a legal notice was issued to the makers to halt the film, alleging unauthorised depiction of Shah Bano’s personal life without the consent of her legal heir. It also cites defamation and violation of personality and publicity rights.
Lawyer Tousif Z Warsi, who represents Begum, told India Today, “There is a requirement of certain addition, like her personal life is depicted in the movie Shah Bano’s personal life, because it’s a long movie of two odd hours. We do not know what events have been disclosed in the movie, in what manner it has been reproduced, emphasising their personal life, or how it has been depicted. So, the storyline and the theme of the movie must first be disclosed to their legal heirs.”
As described by the makers, ‘HAQ’ begins as a love story, and seemingly a private dispute between a husband and wife shifts to a rousing debate on a provocative topic that begs a solution even today. The courtroom proceedings in the film highlight broader policy matters, such as the Uniform Civil Code under Article 44 of the Constitution.
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