Yami Gautam, Emraan Hashmi in Shah Bano-based thriller

Forty years after the landmark Shah Bano verdict, her story is set to return to the spotlight through an upcoming film. Directed by Suparn Verma, the movie is said to be inspired by the real-life legal battle that sparked national debate on gender rights, religion, and justice. Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi are reportedly playing the lead roles, and the team has just wrapped up shooting in Lucknow.

Following her success in Article 370, this untitled film marks another major project for Yami Gautam. The movie aims to highlight the emotional and personal impact of Shah Bano’s fight for maintenance after being divorced through triple talaq in 1978. At the age of 62, and a mother of five, Shah Bano approached the Supreme Court under Section 125 of the CrPC, seeking justice.

In 1985, the court ruled that all divorced women, regardless of religion, have the right to maintenance. While the verdict was hailed as a victory for women’s rights, it triggered backlash from conservative groups. Under political pressure, the Rajiv Gandhi government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act in 1986, which reversed the court’s decision.

This case continues to stir discussion on secularism, gender justice, and the Uniform Civil Code. Now, Shah Bano’s powerful voice returns to remind the nation of a fight that changed Indian legal history — this time, through cinema.