Yami Gautam’s Haq Earns Industry Salute, Sparks Insecurity Debate, and Climbs to Netflix Global Top 2

Yami Gautam Dhar’s courtroom drama Haq is witnessing a remarkable resurgence following its OTT release, earning widespread appreciation from audiences and some of Bollywood’s most influential voices. While the film had a modest theatrical run, its Netflix debut has sparked renewed conversation around its themes, performances, and cultural relevance.

Directed by Suparn Verma, Haq is inspired by the landmark 1985 Supreme Court judgment in the Shah Bano case (Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum). The film stars Yami Gautam as Shazia Bano, a woman who turns to the law in her fight for dignity and justice, and Emraan Hashmi as her husband, Mohammad Abbas Khan.

Alia Bhatt Calls Herself a ‘Yami Gautam Fan’

Among the most notable endorsements came from National Award-winning actor Alia Bhatt, who took to Instagram to praise Yami Gautam’s performance. Sharing a still from the film, Alia wrote, “Queen Yami, you are pure craft, heart and all things gold in Haq. One of my top female performances of all time… I am a Yami fan waiting eagerly for all your work to once again charm and entertain us all.”

Responding to the post, an emotional Yami expressed her gratitude, calling Alia a “brilliant actor and a gem of a person,” and spoke about their heartfelt conversation. She added that mutual admiration and support among actors was something worth celebrating every day.

Karan Johar: ‘Exceptionally Empowering Film’

Filmmaker Karan Johar also shared a detailed and emotional review after watching Haq on Netflix. Admitting that he regretted missing the film in theatres, Johar described the experience as deeply moving.

“Haq… the Shazia Bano story moved me to a puddle of tears. I was speechless at the end and clapped loudly,” he wrote, calling the film “exceptionally empowering.”

Johar reserved his highest praise for Yami Gautam, stating that he had not been this affected by a performance in many years. Highlighting her silences, stares, and final monologue, he called her work a “masterclass of craft and conviction,” concluding with, “Yami… I am a fan for life.”

He also lauded Emraan Hashmi’s portrayal, calling it the actor’s career-best performance, and praised director Suparn Verma for handling the sensitive subject with restraint and emotional depth.

Emraan Hashmi on Insecurity in Bollywood and Why Haq Matters

In a recent interview, Emraan Hashmi reflected on the challenges of playing morally uncomfortable characters and claimed that many actors in the industry are reluctant to take on such roles.

“Men in our industry are very insecure. How many people would do a film like Haq?” he said, adding that cinema often prioritises narratives centred on male victory and hypermasculinity.

Drawing a comparison with films like Animal, Emraan explained that such movies work theatrically because a large section of the audience identifies with hyper-masculine protagonists. However, he stressed the need for actors to move beyond insecurities and embrace complex, challenging stories.

Old ‘Unwelcomed’ Remark Resurfaces

As the industry continues to applaud Yami’s performance, an old interview of the actor has resurfaced in which she spoke candidly about feeling unwelcome in the industry at times. In the interview, Yami shared how the quiet support of her family and husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, helped her navigate moments of self-doubt and isolation.

The resurfaced clip has added emotional context to the current wave of appreciation, with many noting the contrast between her earlier experiences and the respect she is receiving today.

Yami Gautam’s Gratitude Note

Earlier this month, Yami penned a heartfelt note thanking audiences and the media for embracing Haq. Reflecting on the film’s journey amid changing benchmarks of success, she wrote about the joy of seeing a “small film” receive respect and integrity.

She concluded by reaffirming her belief in meaningful storytelling, writing that “good cinema should win… good cinema shall win.”

A Quiet Success Story

With Haq topping Netflix India’s charts and securing a strong global position among non-English films, the courtroom drama is steadily finding its audience. Backed by powerful performances, a socially relevant narrative, and growing industry support, Haq stands as a reminder that meaningful cinema can find its moment—even if it arrives later than expected.