Lucknow: Actor Emraan Hashmi has kicked off filming for a powerful new courtroom drama directed by Suparn Varma, inspired by the real-life legal battle of Shah Bano—an iconic case that reshaped conversations around women’s rights and personal laws in India. The shoot is currently underway in Lucknow, with several key scenes, including courtroom sequences, being captured at heritage locations.
Hashmi will be portraying the character modeled after Shah Bano’s husband, a prominent legal figure whose position in the case stirred major socio-political discussions during the 1980s. Yami Gautam plays the female lead, drawing from the resilience and legal fight of Shah Bano, a woman who sought justice after divorce.
An insider close to the production shared that the cast and crew will be stationed in Lucknow for nearly a week. The film’s producers recently met with Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who expressed the state government’s commitment to supporting cinema and creative storytelling through initiatives like UP Film Bandhu, which offers production assistance and incentives.
Director Suparn Varma, known for his intense storytelling style, has expressed his long-standing desire to bring this story to the screen, calling it a reflection of the enduring battle for fundamental rights. “It’s a story that still holds relevance. These are human rights issues that deserve space in the public narrative,” he reportedly said.
For context, the case that inspired the film involved a Muslim woman’s plea for post-divorce financial support under Indian law. Though she initially won in court, the judgment sparked widespread reactions, eventually leading to changes in national legislation.
While the title of the movie remains under wraps, the project is already drawing attention for its bold subject matter and strong performances. It is being produced by Juhi Mehta, Vishal Gurnani, Ramesh Yadav, Danish Qureshi, and Rajesh Chopra. With a gripping real-life backdrop, the film aims to explore the friction between personal laws and constitutional values, while celebrating the courage of a woman who stood her ground.
