A legal controversy has emerged ahead of the release of Haq, starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam. Siddiqua Begum, the daughter and legal heir of the late Smt. Shah Bano Begum, has issued a notice to the filmmakers and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), demanding a stop to the film’s release, promotion, and screenings.
According to the notice obtained by NDTV, the film allegedly depicts Shah Bano’s personal life—including intimate family events and social circumstances—without the consent of her legal heirs. The notice, sent by advocate Tousif Z Warsi on Siddiqua Begum’s behalf, is addressed to director Suparn Verma, production houses Junglee Pictures and Baweja Studios, and the CBFC.
Siddiqua Begum asserts that as the lawful biological daughter and surviving heir, neither she nor her family authorized the film’s conception or publicity. The notice accuses the filmmakers of “unauthorized use, distortion, and commercial exploitation of private life events,” which it claims violates Indian laws protecting privacy.The legal notice cites key precedents, including the Supreme Court’s 2017 ruling in Justice KS Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India, which enshrines the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. It also references the 2003 Delhi High Court decision in ICC Development (International) Ltd. v. Arvee Enterprises, which bars commercial use of a person’s likeness or life story without permission.
Also, the notice warns that any portrayal harming the “image, moral character, or societal perception” of Shah Bano or her family could constitute defamation. It reminds the filmmakers of moral rights under the Copyright Act, 1957, and invokes CBFC guidelines that prohibit invasion of privacy and derogatory depictions.The notice demands an immediate halt to all release, promotion, and screening activities for Haq—in theatres or digital platforms—until written consent is secured from Shah Bano’s heirs.
It also urges the CBFC to withhold or revoke certification until this consent is verified. The parties have been given seven days to comply before legal proceedings commence.During its teaser launch, the makers described Haq as “a searing and intense drama inspired by the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum case.” The filmmakers have yet to respond to the legal notice.
