Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi are set to headline a powerful courtroom drama inspired by the historic 1985 Shah Bano vs Ahmed Khan case. The film, which marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark judgment, recently completed its shoot and is slated for a theatrical release in October or November 2025.
The story draws from the real-life legal battle of Shah Bano, a Muslim woman who courageously challenged her husband — a lawyer himself — in a case that significantly shaped India’s constitutional and social fabric. It delves into Shah Bano’s relentless fight for justice and women’s rights in the face of financial hardship, societal pressure, and religious conservatism. Her case highlighted the tension between religion, individual rights, and gender justice, and became a cornerstone in the debate over Muslim personal law in India.
Yami Gautam plays the central role, inspired by Shah Bano, while Emraan Hashmi portrays her husband, a character based on Ahmed Khan. The film underscores the social and legal impact of Shah Bano’s fight, which continues to influence jurisprudence and women’s rights movements across communities in India.
Directed by Suparn S Verma, known for Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hain starring Manoj Bajpayee, the film has been shot across various locations in Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh. Backed by a compelling real-life narrative and powerful performances, the movie aims to bring one of India’s most significant legal battles back into public conversation — a story that still resonates in law schools and among rights advocates nationwide.
