Indian Filmmaker Says ‘Haq’ Documentary Aims to Counter Misinformation About Islam

In an interview with BBC, Bollywood filmmaker Suparn Verma discussed his film “Haq,” describing it as an attempt to provide an informed perspective on Shariah law and women’s rights through the lens of a legal drama.

The film, which has garnered significant attention since its release, follows the story of protagonist Shazia Bano, portrayed by actress Yami Gautam, who fights a legal battle for alimony and dignity after being abandoned and divorced. Her personal struggle evolves into a national conversation about women’s rights in India.

Verma emphasized the extensive preparation undertaken for authenticity, noting that Gautam “spent four months understanding the dialect” and learning the Quran for her role. “The way we are using the Quran, we are quoting the Quran. It’s all there,” Verma explained, adding that this commitment to accuracy led him to conclude the film with the significant Arabic word “Iqra,” which means “read” or “recite” and is considered the first word revealed in the Quran.

The filmmaker expressed surprise at the overwhelming response to the film. “Honestly, you hope for a wave of love. You never expect a tsunami of connection the way ‘Haq’ has,” he told the BBC, confirming that many viewers have found personal resonance with Shazia’s story.

In an era of digital misinformation, Verma positioned his film as a corrective to widespread misconceptions about Islam. “There are so many misnomers when it comes to Islam. Today, we live in the age of misinformation,” he said, referencing controversial figures like Andrew Tate whose views on gender have sparked debate. “It’s a warped world that we live in… Everybody has information. You don’t know whether it’s right or wrong. In that space, I wanted ‘Haq’ to be a voice of reason.”

The production process involved rigorous research, with Verma and his team spending “almost a year and a half understanding Islamic law.” The filmmaker, who is not Muslim himself, cited lifelong friendships with Muslims and his identity as an Indian as motivations for delving deeply into the subject matter.

“Haq” addresses controversial topics including Shariah law and the practice of triple talaq (instant divorce), which was banned in India in 2019 after decades of activism by women’s rights groups. “When we talk about triple talaq, I wanted to take away the misnomers. I wanted you to understand mahr existed as a prenup for women,” Verma explained, referencing the Islamic concept of a mandatory payment made by the groom to the bride.

Despite the film addressing issues rooted in decades-old debates, Verma defended its contemporary relevance when questioned about the timing. “Somebody asked me, why did you make this film today? It’s 40 years old. And I’m like, what’s changed in 40 years for women? They lived in a man’s world then, they live in a man’s world now. They fight the same glass ceiling, the same biases.”

The film comes during a period of heightened discussion about gender equality in India’s entertainment industry, with more filmmakers exploring complex social issues through mainstream cinema. By centering a legal drama around Islamic personal law and women’s rights, “Haq” joins a growing number of productions using entertainment as a vehicle for social commentary on religious practices, gender dynamics, and legal frameworks in contemporary India.