“Yami Gautam Dhar… I am fan for life”: Karan Johar calls HAQ “exceptionally empowering film” in his review after its Netflix debut

Karan Johar took to Instagram to share a detailed and emotional review of HAQ after the film made its OTT debut on Netflix on January 2, 2026. The Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi starrer, which had released in theatres on November 7, found renewed attention following Johar’s heartfelt note, where he admitted to regretting not watching the film on the big screen.

Calling HAQ an “exceptionally empowering film,” Johar revealed that the story of Shazia Bano left him deeply moved. He wrote that he was “in a puddle of tears” by the end and even clapped after the film concluded, adding that the experience left him speechless. He also lamented missing the theatrical viewing of what he described as a powerful cinematic achievement.
Johar reserved his highest praise for Yami Gautam Dhar, stating that he had not been this affected by a performance in many years. He described her work as “brilliant, outstanding, and pathbreaking,” while adding that even those words fell short “Yami Gautam Dhar….. Highlighting her silences, stares, final monologue, and overall stance in the film, he called her performance a “master class of craft and conviction,” ending his note with “Salute and Salaam” and declaring himself a fan for life.
The filmmaker also lauded director Suparn Verma for handling the subject with restraint and emotional clarity “Yami Gautam Dhar….. According to Johar, Verma ensured that theatrics never overshadowed the emotion, allowing the strength of the characters to emerge through silence and control. He termed HAQ a “brilliant film” shaped by assured direction.

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Emraan Hashmi’s performance also earned strong appreciation, with Johar calling it the actor’s career best. He noted how convincingly Hashmi portrayed an insensitive and entitled husband, adding that the audience’s hatred for the character only underlined the effectiveness of the performance.
Johar further applauded Junglee Pictures, producers Vineet Jain and Amrita Pandey, and writer Reshu Nath for backing and shaping what he described as a brave and important film with a strong narrative spine.
Yami Gautam Dhar responded to Johar’s post with an emotional comment, thanking him for his words and expressing her gratitude with “utmost love. ” Saif Ali Khan’s sister, Saba Pataudi, also joined the conversation, agreeing with Johar’s assessment and praising Yami’s performance along with the ensemble, calling the film deserving of a standing ovation. Filmmaker Siddharth P “Yami Gautam Dhar….. Malhotra added that writer Reshu Nath was another hero of the film and deserved equal recognition for her work.
Johar’s review of HAQ continues a recent pattern where he has openly appreciated the work of his contemporaries. Just a week ago, he reviewed Ikkis, Dharmendra’s final film that also marked the big-screen debut of Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia. In the past, he has penned similar notes for films like Saiyaara and Dhurandhar “Yami Gautam Dhar….. At present, Johar is occupied with the campaign for Homebound, which has been shortlisted for the Oscars this year “Yami Gautam Dhar…..
Also Read: “Ikkis is a love letter to peace”: Karan Johar lauds Dharmendra and Agastya Nanda’s performances in emotional review note
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