Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 12: Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam-starrer courtroom drama Haq has witnessed a renewed wave of appreciation following its release on Netflix, with filmmaker Karan Johar joining the growing list of admirers after Alia Bhatt.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Johar shared a glowing review of the film, admitting that he regretted missing it in theatres. He said the story left him emotional and deeply moved.

“Haq… The Shazia Bano story and victory moved me to a puddle of tears. I was speechless at the end and then clapped loudly for the film and lamented that I missed the opportunity of watching this exceptionally empowering film in the cinema,” Johar wrote.

Praising Yami Gautam’s performance, he described it as path-breaking and among the most moving performances he has seen in years. Johar highlighted her silences, expressions, final monologue and unwavering presence, calling her craft and conviction a “masterclass”.

He also lauded director Suparn Verma for handling the narrative with restraint, ensuring emotions were never overshadowed by theatrics. Johar termed Emraan Hashmi’s portrayal of an insensitive and entitled husband as the finest performance of his career, noting that his character evokes both hatred and admiration for the performance.

Johar further praised Junglee Pictures producers Vineet Jain and Amrita Pandey for backing what he called a brave and important film, and commended writer Reshu Nath for delivering a strong and poignant narrative.

Responding to the appreciation, Yami Gautam expressed gratitude in the comments section, saying Johar’s words left her emotional and thanking him for his love and support.

The praise comes shortly after actor Alia Bhatt also applauded Yami’s performance, revealing that she personally called her to convey appreciation and described herself as a fan.

Directed by Suparn Verma, Haq stars Yami Gautam, Emraan Hashmi and Sheeba Chaddha in pivotal roles. Inspired by the landmark Supreme Court judgement in Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum, the film follows the journey of a woman who seeks justice after being denied financial support by her husband.

While the film earned positive reviews upon its theatrical release, it collected around ?29 crore globally. Since its Netflix premiere on January 2, however, Haq has found a wider audience and fresh acclaim.