Renowned filmmaker Suparn S Varma has made a powerful statement about gender equality, asserting that women constitute the world's largest "backward class" despite ongoing discussions about various marginalized groups. The director, known for his work on popular OTT series including "The Trial" and "Rana Naidu," recently released his new film "Haq," which tackles these pressing issues head-on.
A Courtroom Drama with Social Relevance
"Haq," featuring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi in lead roles, hit theaters nationwide on Friday, November 8, and has already garnered enthusiastic praise from critics. The courtroom drama draws inspiration from the landmark Shah Bano Begum case of 1985, a pivotal moment in Indian legal history that established crucial rights for Muslim women.
Varma explained that his film fundamentally explores a woman's struggle for dignity, self-respect, and basic human rights within a system that is structurally biased against her. "She is fighting a system that is already preordained, while trying to claim her existence and place in society as a woman," the director shared during an interview with PTI.
Historical Case with Contemporary Relevance
The film dramatizes events from Jigna Vora's book "Bano: Bharat Ki Beti," which chronicles the famous Mohd Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum legal battle. This historic case began in 1978 when Shah Bano's lawyer husband divorced her and eventually reached the Supreme Court in 1985. The case concluded with a groundbreaking judgment from a five-judge Constitution bench that ruled Muslim women were entitled to maintenance under Indian law.
Despite being set in the 1970s and 80s, Varma emphasized that the film's themes remain strikingly relevant today. "There is a saying that 'the more things change, the more they remain the same'. The situation is still the same. The same thing is happening with women today. They are fighting with the same glass ceiling. They are fighting with the same biases," he noted.
Powerful Performances and Critical Scenes
Varma reserved special praise for lead actress Yami Gautam, describing her performance as career-defining. "You have seen many of her films, she has a style of walking and speaking. She reinvented everything about her to create the character of Shazia Bano. For the 32 days we were on set, we didn't see Yami. We only saw Shazia Bano," the director revealed.
The film's climax features particularly powerful moments, with each lead character delivering a nine-minute monologue shot in single takes. Varma expressed his gratitude for having actors capable of handling such demanding scenes. "The preparation took months for them and the essence of the film comes in the Supreme Court sequence. If you fail there, you have failed the final test. The job they have done was amazing," he said.
"Haq" is produced by Junglee Pictures in association with Insomnia Films and Baweja Studios, and features additional performances by Vartika Singh, Sheeba Chaddha, and Danish Husain. The film continues to spark important conversations about gender equality and women's rights in contemporary society.
