Haq Movie Review: A Powerful Courtroom Drama That Stirs the Soul
After watching Haq, I walked out of the theatre feeling heavy yet inspired. This isn’t just a courtroom drama—it’s an emotional journey that makes you question society, religion, and the meaning of justice. Directed by Suparn Verma and starring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, the film is loosely inspired by the historical Shah Bano case. While it deals with legal debates and constitutional rights, at its heart, Haq is the story of one woman’s dignity, pain, and courage.
Plot and Storytelling
The film follows Shazia Bano (played by Yami Gautam), a simple yet strong-willed woman whose husband Abbas (Emraan Hashmi) abandons her after years of marriage. Left without financial support, she decides to approach the court for maintenance. What begins as a personal legal battle soon explodes into a national controversy that questions religious identity, personal laws, and women’s rights.
As I watched the story unfold, I wasn’t just observing a character fight a case—I felt like I was watching a woman fight the system, fight society, and fight to be seen. The writing doesn’t rush. The film takes its time to build Shazia’s world—her home, her humiliation, her silence, and finally her voice. And that’s what makes the emotional payoff so strong.
Performances
Yami Gautam as Shazia Bano
Yami Gautam delivers one of the most powerful performances of her career. She doesn’t rely on melodrama; instead, she uses silence, emotion in her eyes, and controlled dialogues. Whether she is quietly sitting in a courtroom, listening to lawyers debate her life like a case file, or breaking down in loneliness—she makes you feel every moment.
Emraan Hashmi as Abbas
Emraan Hashmi plays Abbas with an interesting duality. He isn’t an outright villain, but he isn’t innocent either. He is charming at first but slowly reveals his selfishness and ego. What I appreciated is that the film doesn’t portray him as purely evil—it shows him as a product of a patriarchal mindset.
Supporting Cast
The lawyers, judges, clerics, and family members around them add depth. No one feels unnecessary. The actors playing opposing lawyers especially deserve praise for delivering sharp courtroom exchanges.
Direction and Execution
Director Suparn Verma opts for restraint rather than sensationalism. The courtroom scenes are realistic—no over-the-top shouting, no dramatic music every two minutes. Instead, the arguments are logical, layered, and often emotionally haunting. The legal dialogues feel authentic but never too complex for a common audience to understand.
The cinematography uses muted tones, highlighting the bleakness of Shazia’s situation. Close-up shots of her face during key moments—when she hears the verdict, when society questions her intentions—stay with you long after the movie ends.
What I Loved (Good Aspects)
✅ Emotionally Gripping Yet Realistic
Unlike usual courtroom dramas that rely on shouting and dramatic turns, Haq keeps it grounded. This realism makes it so much more impactful.
✅ Strong Performances
Yami Gautam completely carries this film on her shoulders. Emraan Hashmi complements her well. Their chemistry is complex—not romantic, but filled with tension and history.
✅ Powerful Dialogue Writing
Some dialogues made the entire theatre go silent. Lines about women’s rights, religion vs humanity, and justice being a “right, not a favour” hit hard.
✅ Balanced Portrayal of Religion and Law
The film never attacks any religion. It questions societal norms, misinterpretations of faith, and the hypocrisy of people—not faith itself.
✅ No Overdone Drama
No unnecessary songs, no exaggerated courtroom breakdowns. The film trusts the intelligence and emotions of its audience.
What Didn’t Work (Weak Aspects)
❌ Slightly Slow in the First Half
The film takes its time to build the story. While I personally liked the slow burn, some viewers might find the pacing a bit slow initially.
❌ A Few Monologues Feel Scripted
Although most dialogues feel natural, a couple of courtroom monologues seem slightly rehearsed—almost like they were written more for impact than realism.
❌ Abbas’s Character Arc Could’ve Been Deeper
Even though Emraan performs well, I felt the film could have explored Abbas’s mindset more deeply—what made him leave, whether he ever felt guilt, etc.
❌ Supporting Characters Deserved More Screen Time
Especially the lawyer fighting for Shazia—her backstory and motivation are hinted at but never explored fully.
Music and Background Score
The background score is minimal and used sparingly. And honestly, I’m glad. The silence in key moments says more than music ever could. There are no unnecessary songs forced into the narrative. Instead, the film relies on natural sounds—courtroom murmurs, pages turning, a pen tapping on a table—to create tension.
Social and Emotional Impact
The film makes you think. It makes you uncomfortable, angry, hopeful—all at once. It questions how society treats divorced women, how religious laws are interpreted conveniently, and how justice is often delayed because society fears change.
I particularly loved how the film doesn’t show Shazia as a “hero”. She is scared. She cries. She doubts herself. But she still stands up. And that’s what makes her inspiring.
Final Verdict
Haq isn’t just a film—it’s an experience. It’s a reminder that justice is not charity; it’s a right. It’s a story of one woman, but it speaks for millions. Yes, it has flaws, but its honesty, performances, and emotional depth make it a must-watch.
⭐ My Rating: 4.2 / 5
- Story: 4/5
- Performances: 4.5/5
- Direction: 4/5
- Music/Background: 3.5/5
- Emotional Impact & Message: 5/5
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