economyEntertainmentlawPolitics

Haq under legal scanner: Shah Bano’s daughter moves MP High Court over ‘unauthorized’ portrayal

Siddiqua Begum Khan, daughter and legal heir of Shah Bano Begum, has approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking to restrain the release of the upcoming film Haq. The film, starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam and directed by Suparn S. Verma, is based on the landmark 1985 Supreme Court case Mohd Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum, which was pivotal in securing maintenance rights for divorced Muslim women in India. Scheduled to release on November 7, 2025, Haq has come under judicial scrutiny with Siddiqua claiming that the filmmakers failed to obtain consent from Shah Bano’s legal heirs before depicting her personal life. The petition argues that the film distorts real-life personalities and private events, amounting to unauthorized commercial exploitation of Shah Bano’s legacy. Siddiqua Begum’s plea states that the film causes emotional trauma by publicly showcasing her mother’s personal struggles, potentially damaging the family’s dignity and reputation. She asserts that she inherited her mother’s moral and personality rights and that the unauthorized portrayal infringes upon these rights. During the hearing before Justice Pranay Verma at the Indore Bench, the film’s producers, represented by Junglee Films and other legal counsel, contended that Haq contains a disclaimer declaring it a fictional work and not a biopic. They argued that this disclaimer exempts them from seeking consent from Shah Bano’s heirs. The Court responded by asking the filmmakers to produce the disclaimer on record and clarified its role in protecting privacy. Siddiqua’s lawyer emphasized that the objection lies not with the depiction of the Supreme Court judgment itself, which is public record, but with the fictionalized portrayal of Shah Bano’s personal life and hardships. Further, the petition highlights that the film potentially violates provisions under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which prohibits certification of films that defame or breach privacy. The petition also calls for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to revoke the censor certificate granted for the film’s release until proper consent is secured. Siddiqua had earlier issued a legal notice to the producers, who reportedly refused to apologize or take legal responsibility for the lack of consent, prompting this court intervention. The High Court has adjourned the matter for further hearing after reviewing the disclaimer and other pleadings. Also Read: Yami Gautam on portraying Shah Bano in Haq, “This is a role any actor would dream of”.

cultureeconomyEntertainmentmediaPolitics

Black Bookstore Owners, Government Spies, and Murder

Texas has grown a bumper crop of book authors and, with that, an ever-expanding list of literary festivals. San Antonio’s sprawls around its towering tomato-red public library every spring. Lubbock daringly throws its in sweaty August, while Boerne awaits the arrival of typically more bearable October weather. Then there’s the biggest of them all: the […] The post Black Bookstore Owners, Government Spies, and Murder appeared first on The Texas Observer.

economyEntertainmentlawPolitics

Haq under legal scanner: Shah Bano’s daughter moves MP High Court over ‘unauthorized’ portrayal

Siddiqua Begum Khan, daughter and legal heir of Shah Bano Begum, has approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking to restrain the release of the upcoming film Haq. The film, starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam and directed by Suparn S. Verma, is based on the landmark 1985 Supreme Court case Mohd Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum, which was pivotal in securing maintenance rights for divorced Muslim women in India. Scheduled to release on November 7, 2025, Haq has come under judicial scrutiny with Siddiqua claiming that the filmmakers failed to obtain consent from Shah Bano’s legal heirs before depicting her personal life. The petition argues that the film distorts real-life personalities and private events, amounting to unauthorized commercial exploitation of Shah Bano’s legacy. Siddiqua Begum’s plea states that the film causes emotional trauma by publicly showcasing her mother’s personal struggles, potentially damaging the family’s dignity and reputation. She asserts that she inherited her mother’s moral and personality rights and that the unauthorized portrayal infringes upon these rights. During the hearing before Justice Pranay Verma at the Indore Bench, the film’s producers, represented by Junglee Films and other legal counsel, contended that Haq contains a disclaimer declaring it a fictional work and not a biopic. They argued that this disclaimer exempts them from seeking consent from Shah Bano’s heirs. The Court responded by asking the filmmakers to produce the disclaimer on record and clarified its role in protecting privacy. Siddiqua’s lawyer emphasized that the objection lies not with the depiction of the Supreme Court judgment itself, which is public record, but with the fictionalized portrayal of Shah Bano’s personal life and hardships. Further, the petition highlights that the film potentially violates provisions under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which prohibits certification of films that defame or breach privacy. The petition also calls for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to revoke the censor certificate granted for the film’s release until proper consent is secured. Siddiqua had earlier issued a legal notice to the producers, who reportedly refused to apologize or take legal responsibility for the lack of consent, prompting this court intervention. The High Court has adjourned the matter for further hearing after reviewing the disclaimer and other pleadings. Also Read: Yami Gautam on portraying Shah Bano in Haq, “This is a role any actor would dream of”.

economyEntertainmentPoliticsTechnology

Ikkis starring Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat to hit theatres on December 25

Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s highly anticipated war drama, Ikkis, has completed filming and is now officially slated for a theatrical release on December 25, 2025. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under his banner Maddock Films, the movie is a biographical tribute to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, who was martyred during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The film, whose title Ikkis alludes to Khetarpal’s age at the time of his sacrifice, stars Agastya Nanda in his big-screen debut as the young war hero. Veteran actor Dharmendra plays a pivotal emotional role as Arun Khetarpal’s father, and the cast also features Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher in key roles. Ikkis marks a significant departure for National Award-winning director Sriram Raghavan, known for his mastery of noir thrillers and crime dramas like Andhadhun and Badlapur. Raghavan described the project as a welcome break from his usual genre, focusing on an emotionally charged war story with impactful battle sequences. The film was first announced in 2019 with Varun Dhawan attached to the lead role, but delays caused by the pandemic led to a casting change before Agastya Nanda was finalized. The film’s recently released trailer has generated significant buzz across the industry, with critics and fellow actors praising its gripping narrative and Nanda’s performance. The story focuses on the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 war, where the young officer displayed extraordinary courage, refusing to abandon his tank despite being critically wounded and destroying several enemy vehicles. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour. For Agastya Nanda, grandson of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Ikkis serves as his first major theatrical release following his debut in the Netflix film The Archies. Industry pundits view this challenging role as a crucial opportunity for the young actor to establish himself. The film was initially scheduled for release on October 2, 2025, to coincide with Gandhi Jayanti. However, the makers at Maddock Films later confirmed a shift to a December 2025 window, positioning it as a major cinematic event for the end of the year. While the exact date within December is still awaiting official confirmation, industry speculation points towards a potential Christmas weekend release. Jointly backed by Maddock Films and Jio Studios, Ikkis promises to be a powerful and emotional tribute to a national hero who, as the film’s tagline suggests, will remain “forever twenty-one” in the annals of Indian military history. Also Read : When Arun Khetarpal’s father met the Pakistani soldier responsible for his son’s death.

Sitemap Index