Bollywood’s courtroom drama Haq, starring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, has made a significant impression on audiences, with early reviews highlighting its compelling performances and timely narrative. Released in theatres on November 7, 2025, the film marks a critical exploration of women’s rights, inspired by the landmark 1985 Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum case. The case, which addressed the right to maintenance for divorced Muslim women, remains a watershed moment in Indian legal history, and the film adapts it into a gripping cinematic experience.

From the moment the trailer for Haq dropped, viewers anticipated a high-stakes, emotional narrative. The promise of Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi sharing screen space for a story of legal and personal struggle created buzz among cinema enthusiasts. As the film premiered, audiences flooded theatres and social media platforms, providing immediate reactions to the performances, direction, and relevance of the film in today’s sociopolitical climate.

Yami Gautam’s Performance Steals the Show

Across social media, Yami Gautam’s portrayal of Shazia Bano has been universally lauded. Fans and critics alike have praised her for embodying the vulnerability, resilience, and moral fortitude of a woman navigating a patriarchal legal system. Shazia’s journey—from being blindsided by her husband Abbas Khan, played by Emraan Hashmi, taking a second wife and dissolving their marriage through triple talaq, to her courageous fight for justice—forms the emotional heart of the film.

On Twitter, fans have been vocal in their admiration for Yami Gautam. One tweet read, “Every frame of #Haq proves why #YamiGautam is a class apart. No hype, just pure talent and conviction. She’s ruling Indian cinema with back-to-back award-winning performances. She deserves a prestigious National Award next year!! @yamigautam #haqreview.” This sentiment was echoed by another user: “Watched Haq today!! @yamigautam you were brilliant!! What a growth as an actor! Article 370 and now this! I really hope you get a national award now! @emraanhashmi too!! Glad to see you in roles like this… superb acting!”

Fans have gone beyond appreciation, asserting that Yami Gautam’s performance warrants recognition at the highest levels. One particularly emphatic comment read, “Watched #HAQ today. #YamiGautam deserve every award. If she can’t get a national award for her act, then it is an insult to the National Award. @yamigautam 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏.” Such responses indicate the impact of her performance, suggesting that her portrayal transcends conventional expectations and speaks to a deeper societal relevance.

Emraan Hashmi’s Strong Supporting Role

While Yami Gautam has dominated the conversation online, Emraan Hashmi’s performance as Abbas Khan has also drawn appreciation. Viewers note that he skillfully balances charm and moral ambiguity, providing a believable depiction of a man who exerts both authority and emotional distance. Many fans acknowledged that while Yami’s performance forms the emotional core of the film, Emraan’s presence as the antagonist adds necessary tension and narrative depth, making the courtroom confrontations and moral dilemmas more compelling.

Twitter reactions highlight this balanced view. Many users expressed that while Yami’s portrayal should earn national accolades, Emraan’s contribution to the film is equally vital for its storytelling. Fans pointed out that the chemistry and narrative interplay between the two actors make the courtroom drama more engaging, ensuring that audiences remain invested in Shazia’s journey and the obstacles she faces.

Critical Response to Haq’s Narrative and Direction

In addition to the performances, the film’s direction by Suparn Varma has received praise for handling a sensitive and complex subject with clarity and emotional weight. The film doesn’t merely retell the Shah Bano case; it contextualizes it for contemporary audiences, highlighting how entrenched societal attitudes continue to affect women’s rights. Critics and fans alike have noted that the courtroom sequences, legal arguments, and personal confrontations are handled with precision, ensuring that the emotional stakes are clear without veering into melodrama.

Actor Meerraa Chopraa shared her perspective on the film via Twitter, writing: “#Haq reminds you — justice isn’t given, it’s taken. Even if it costs everything. It’s not just about one woman’s fight, it’s about every woman who dared to ask for justice. Haq isn’t just a film, it’s a punch to the system. The Shah Bano case may be decades old, but the mindset it exposes? Still alive and kicking. Watch it — and ask yourself if we’ve really changed. @yamigautam I am ur fan!! You are fire wrapped in grace. Unshakable, honest, unforgettable. #vishalgurnani #juhimehta #sandeepsingh you guys are becoming ‘it’ producers for content-driven powerful cinema @Suparn you are a genius! The way u handled this complicated subject in today’s political climate is true bravery 👏.”

Such reviews emphasize that Haq resonates beyond entertainment, prompting audiences to reflect on enduring gender biases and the slow pace of social progress. By combining stellar performances with thoughtful direction, the film manages to engage viewers both emotionally and intellectually.

Social Media Buzz and Audience Engagement

The first-day reception of Haq demonstrates the growing role of social media in shaping public opinion about films. Platforms like Twitter have amplified audience voices, allowing fans to express admiration, critique, and personal interpretations instantly. The volume of tweets praising Yami Gautam’s performance, alongside reflections on the relevance of the film’s message, indicates strong engagement.

Many viewers also highlighted the importance of films like Haq in fostering social discourse. By revisiting a landmark legal case, the film encourages audiences to reconsider historical judgments and examine the contemporary relevance of women’s rights, particularly in the context of divorce, triple talaq, and societal pressures. The emotional connection that viewers feel with Shazia Bano’s character is a testament to both the actors’ performances and the filmmakers’ ability to translate real-life struggles into compelling cinema.

Looking Ahead

Haq’s first-day box office collection was modest at ₹1.65 crore, reflecting a slow but steady start. However, the positive word-of-mouth on social media and the critical appreciation of Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi’s performances suggest that the film could see growth over the weekend and beyond. For films that carry strong social messages, audience recommendations and reviews often play a pivotal role in driving viewership, and early reactions indicate that Haq has the potential to benefit from sustained attention.

As discussions around awards season approach, fans’ insistence that Yami Gautam deserves a National Award reflects a broader recognition of her talent and the significance of her role. In a year where performance-driven cinema is gaining prominence, Haq stands out as an example of how meaningful storytelling, combined with powerful acting, can capture the imagination of audiences and critics alike.

Conclusion

On its opening day, Haq not only showcased the acting prowess of Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi but also reminded viewers of the continuing relevance of social justice narratives in Indian cinema. While Emraan has won hearts with his nuanced performance, it is Yami Gautam’s portrayal of Shazia Bano that has captured widespread admiration, with many fans advocating for her recognition at the National Awards.

Through powerful performances, a compelling narrative, and thoughtful direction, Haq has established itself as a film that challenges audiences to reflect, empathize, and engage with the pressing issues of gender equality and justice. As social media reactions continue to pour in, it is evident that the film’s impact extends beyond the theatre, sparking conversations about rights, resilience, and recognition—both on-screen and off.

With its combination of stellar acting, poignant storytelling, and social relevance, Haq is proving to be not just a film, but a cultural conversation starter, reaffirming the role of cinema in inspiring awareness, empathy, and change.