In Suparn S. Varma's upcoming courtroom drama Haq, actors Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi will collaborate. The film, which is scheduled to open in theatres on November 7, explores issues of Muslim women's rights, faith, and the extraordinary forms that secular justice can take. It is inspired by the Shah Bano ruling, one of India's most significant court cases.
Yami plays a part that questions preconceptions about her on-screen persona, while Emraan ventures into a new territory with this movie. Yami discussed her approach to the role in an interview with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor (Entertainment and Lifestyle) at HT City's Stars In The City, today. Sonal enquired, "In the modern era, when one does these kinds of roles,the impression of being patriotic; there is nothing wrong or right with having an image, but that is the one you currently possess. While many other Bollywood ladies are more westernised, you are the face of Hindu nationalists, who believe that you are upholding tradition.

Every social media comment you receive and the jobs you select demonstrate that. Now that you're portraying a Muslim character in a movie, you're also taking a tremendous chance by attempting to bring out something, as I mentioned to Emraan.By attempting to bring something out, you're also taking a significant risk. Were you informed that Shah Bano's case somehow bolsters the patriotic argument that the nation should adopt common laws rather than rules based on religion, such as Muslim personal law? Was that the reason you accepted this specific position?
"If the motivation isn't creative, the purpose of being an artist is defeated."
"If there's any other motivation for me to choose the kinds of roles that I do, other than creative, then the whole purpose of being an artist is defeated," Yami said, describing her method for selecting roles.I don't believe that any controversy or clickbait culture, where I'm only here temporarily, is what will sustain my career. I have been working in this field since 2012, and I am currently in 2025.
I never changed who I was! Even though the movie I made my debut in was somewhat unusual for the time, it was undoubtedly one of the biggest hits and had a groundbreaking plot. My current goal is to continue being the same person I have always been. It's okay if it didn't show up in the two films I made in the middle.

I can't go into the inside, outside, and specifics, but there are instances where you achieve success early on, particularly if you're not in the industry.
Finding footing takes time, she continued, but one should understand why they selected this line of work. "You take your time to find your footing and figure out what you want to do here," she said. For what purpose are you here? Are you here for the simple purpose of being seen and present everywhere? And I had a no! My work is the only reason I should be here or have any significance for anyone, including myself and my audience. My role, my team, and my script are crucial for that.

"I can't accommodate every way of thinking."
In response to the idea that she favours patriotic discourse, Yami explained, "What one sees in something...we also have a habit somewhere, to give someone an image." I don't interpret it as criticism. I don't view it negatively, nor do I take it seriously. Logo ka kaam hai. chalo yeh image dete hai, ya yeh narrative suit kar raha hai, chahe mai hun yah koi aur hai. I can't accommodate every way of thinking, Toh.

I must do what must be done. This is only my third movie where you would think, "Oh, this is some nationalistic stuff again." Being a part of these films or speaking up for those characters who are essentially the nation's unsung heroes means a lot to me. How is it possible for a movie that discusses social reform and progressive reform to be perceived or coloured in any way other than progressive? That is incomprehensible to me.
Regarding the personalities of Haq and Yami
The 1978 appeal known as the Shah Bano case, which marked a sea change for Muslim women's rights in India, served as the inspiration for the legal drama Haq.

In the movie, Emraan Hashmi plays a crucial part in the trial proceedings, and Yami plays a figure modelled by Shah Bano Begum.

Mohd. Ahmad Khan v. Shah Bano Begum is a real-life case that started when Shah Bano, 62, asked her divorced husband, Mohammed Ahmed Khan, for support. The Supreme Court's 1985 decision in her favour generated national discussion and, in the end, resulted in new laws that influenced India's legal and social environment.