Paridhi Sharma Makes Big Screen Debut with Haq Inspired by Shah Bano Case

Paridhi Sharma, celebrated for her performances in TV series such as Jodha Akbar and Patiala Babes, is preparing to debut in cinema with Haq next month. She describes this shift from television as a significant milestone in her 15-year entertainment career.

Notably, Haq draws inspiration from real occurrences in Paridhi's native Indore, particularly the notable Shah Bano case of the 1980s. She expressed, “Upon accepting the role, I realized the film's foundation in a real-life incident from Indore that I was familiar with.”

However, the film is facing legal challenges, as the daughter of the late Shah Bano Begum issued a notice to the filmmakers and the CBFC, demanding its release be postponed. Addressing the criticism, Paridhi remarked, “In a democracy, objections are inevitable, particularly for films depicting true stories. It was to be expected since the narrative is based on actual events, and there are often varied opinions. While filming, we committed to portraying the story authentically. I encourage everyone to view the film before passing judgment.”

In Haq, she takes on the role of Iram, sister to Emraan Hashmi's character, embodying “a woman of that time who upheld patriarchal values,” showcasing the disparity between historical societal standards and contemporary views.

Sharma's evolution from television to film has been thoughtful and strategic. After an extensive period on TV, she took over three years off to refine her skills for cinema. “After working in TV for so long, I recognized the need to re-learn and approach films differently. This led to my break, during which I undertook training and workshops before landing this role,” she outlined.

Continuing her artistic journey, Paridhi disclosed plans to begin filming another project in Kashmir that will also star Rajeev Khandelwal.

As she faces both critical and legal scrutiny with her debut in this film, audiences eagerly await Paridhi Sharma’s performance, as she merges her television background with a narrative grounded in reality.