Key Takeaways

• Film Success: The legal thriller Haq has gained significant popularity on Netflix, reaching the Top 10 in 15 countries.
• Historical Context: The film dramatizes the landmark case of Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum, which impacted alimony rights in India.
• Critical Reception: With a 77% rating from critics and 90% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, Haq has received positive reviews.
• Controversy: The film has sparked debate due to its portrayal of sensitive legal issues without consulting key figures related to the original case.

A once-overlooked legal thriller that was released in 2025 finds a new audience on Netflix as it becomes a global streaming success. Legal thriller movies have their place among Netflix’s multifaceted offerings, including a multitude of originals like Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile and The Trial of the Chicago 7. Both are based on real-world cases.

So too is the Indian legal drama Haq, which acts as a dramatized, somewhat fictionalized version of Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum. This Supreme Court case was an important one for India in the 1980s, as it resulted in a ruling that provided alimony for a Muslim woman divorced by her husband through Islamic law.

Now, FlixPatrol reports that Haq has become the Number 10 movie in the world on Netflix, not long after it was added to the platform. According to data from January 23, 2026, the movie has made it to the Top 10 lists of 15 countries around the world, aiding in its global placement. This includes a Number 1 spot in Bangladesh.

The Indian movie sees Yami Gautam Dhar take on the role of Shazia Bano, a woman who separates from her husband in the 1970s and whose promised payments from him were never fulfilled. This leads to a legal case after her husband, Abbas (Emraan Hashmi), divorces her via religious means, causing debate over religion and constitutional law.

Haq earned positive reviews in India following its release in November 2025. Now that it’s available worldwide on Netflix, the movie is making waves beyond its initial theatrical release. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a 77% with critics and a 90% with audiences, indicating favorable reviews from both sides of the aisle.

However, the film has been controversial due to the creators not consulting the real Shah Bano’s daughter on the film, despite her knowledge of the Islamic law versus governmental law that was on display in the movie. Parts of the initial ruling have also been chipped away at since it was made, making the film’s empowering message all the more controversial.

Even so, the movie is doing well on Netflix, especially in India’s neighboring regions, showcasing a powerful story that tackles divorce and alimony rights through a multifaceted lens. The controversy surrounding the movie may have driven some viewership, but its message remains important despite the level of dispute surrounding its subject and production.