Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi to star in film based on Shah Bano case

Yami Gautam assumes the role of the valiant lead, capturing Shah Bano's spirit and tenacity.

A new movie starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi is set to bring this historic court case to the big screen in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court's historic 1985 ruling in the Shah Bano v. Ahmed Khan case.

The real-life story of Shah Bano, a Muslim woman whose fight for justice marked a watershed in the discussion of women's rights and the place of personal laws in a secular, democratic India, served as the inspiration for the upcoming film.

Yami Gautam assumes the role of the valiant lead, capturing Shah Bano's spirit and tenacity. Playing her husband, who is based on Ahmed Khan, Emraan Hashmi adds nuance to a character who is on the other side of the ideological spectrum.

The film, which is framed as a David vs. Goliath tale, examines how a financially dependent woman who has been left by her husband and is not supported by society confronts influential religious organisations and opposes the misogyny inherent in personal law systems. She fought not only for herself but also for innumerable other women whose voices had been silenced for a long time.

The film is gearing up for a worldwide theatrical release with an expected premiere in October or November 2025.

This powerful film, rooted in the historic Shah Bano vs Ahmed Khan verdict, also traces the ideological foundation of the much-debated Uniform Civil Code—an initiative now gaining momentum under the vision of "One Nation, One Law."

Also read: Allu Arjun, Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Alia Bhatt and other celebs express shock at Kashmir terror attack

The landmark case, which ignited conversations on secularism, women's rights, and constitutional justice, continues to hold global relevance, having been ranked among the Top 10 events that have significantly influenced Indian democracy and its judicial ethos.

Yami Gautam Dhar, fresh off the critical and commercial success of Article 370, returns to the big screen with another performance that promises intensity and grit. Meanwhile, Emraan Hashmi, who will be seen next in the war drama Ground Zero, was last spotted in the action-packed world of Tiger Zinda Hai. Together, they bring a compelling energy to a film that doesn’t just tell a story—it rekindles a national conversation.