Haq Movie Review: Haque directed by Suparn Verma is an emotionally charged court case in which the idea of faith, gender rights, and the strength of endurance is explored to the fullest. The film is loosely based on the historic Shah Bano case and it turns a legal fight to become an effective human story that is not only topical but also thought provoking in the modern world.
Plot Summary
Haqu is an Indian romantic movie set in the late 1960s in a small town of Uttar Pradesh, which is a tragic story of a devoted wife (Shazia Bani) whose husband, Abbas Khan (Emraan Hashmi), divorces her using triple talak. What starts as a personal tragedy turns out to be a national discussion of the dignity of women, interpretation of religion, and legal rights.
When Shazia seeks justice, she is opposed not only to her husband but also to a whole system a system that is founded on tradition, power and silence. The movie shows how the personal conflict of a woman may reveal the clashes between religion and justice, piety and liberty, religion and equality, which go deep in the soul of the woman.
Direction and Screenplay
It is to the credit of Suparn Verma that he has approached such a sensitive and intricate topic in a sensitive and mature way. Instead of preaching or dramatizing too much, he lets the story breathe. The rhythm is not rushed — slow it is, yet never without a reason. Within every frame, we envision the burden of the pain of Shazia, her inner strength, and her silent defiance.
The courtroom, which the film takes as its center of attention, is just a platform to a greater emotional struggle or one that starts at homes, kitchens, and the minds of those people who are conditioned by strict notions. Haqu does not demonize religion, rather it reflects on how religion is usually misinterpreting and patriarchal.
The movie is bold in raising such delicate matters as triple talaq, maintenance under section 125 of the CrPC and the felt conflict between personal laws and secular law of India. It poses a strong question When is faith no longer faith, but begins to be control?
Performances
Yami Gautam has done one of the best acting in her career. She as Shazia is full of silent suffering, honor, and will. Her progression as a submissive wife to a woman who asserts on her right to hakq or claim her right is natural and touching. The nuances of Yami are more eloquent than all the dialogues and Shazia is the character that will be remembered by the audience.
In the role of Abbas Khan, Emraan Hashmi amazingly surprises the viewers in a multi-layered role. He depicts beauty and danger in the same depths – a man in between religion and personality. Rather than become a one-note villain, Emraan transforms Abbas into excruciatingly realistic – a by-product of the surrounding environment and its non-accommodating laws.
The role of actors like Sheeba Chaddha and Danish Hussain also add the dimension to the story without disturbing the protagonists.
Cinematography, Music and Technicalities.
On the visual plane, Haq does justice to the time the small-town India with its drab colors, as well as the ominous environment of courtrooms. The cinematography does not sacrifice emotional intimacy. The music does not make a lasting impression though. The music capitalizes on the story but does not ever become the same level as the actors or the words.
There could have been more editing particularly in the second half wherein some of the scenes seem to be dragged on. Nevertheless, the slow pace of the film is in keeping with its tone reflective, restrained, and real.
Where the Film Falters
Having a strong message, Haq is at times ambitious at the expense of implementation. The screenplay is at times tedious and some of the sub plots seem to be insufficiently developed. Some courtroom dialogues are more monologues than legal dialogue. The emotional strokes, even though powerful, might have been better counterbalanced with the episodes of insignificant relief.
These hiccups notwithstanding, the movie is a bold and a very much needed critique of female rights and identity within a society that is very traditional.
Verdict
Haque is not merely another legal thriller, it is a mirror in society. It is about faith, bravery and never-give-in battle fight of self-respect.The direction of Suparn Verma with great performance of Yami Gautam and controlled intensity of Emraan Hashmi, is enough to make Haq a movie worth viewing, particularly with the notion that cinema must not only entertain; it needs to adversely affect the viewers.
⭐ Rating: 3.5/5
🎬 Watch it for: Yami Gautam’s powerhouse performance and the film’s meaningful take on justice and dignity.