Karan Johar Gives a Glowing Shout-Out to Haq, Applauds Suparn S. Varma’s Direction

Mumbai: “Never letting theatrics overpower emotion and always making the strength of the characters shine through strong silences,” says Karan Johar while praising Suparn S Varma for his direction in HAQ”
Suparn S. Varma’s HAQ is on an unrelenting ascent, winning over audiences and the film fraternity alike and establishing itself as one of the most talked-about Hindi films in recent times. Fresh off its thunderous reception at IFFI, the film’s momentum has only intensified with its Netflix release, where it continues to dominate conversations for its measured storytelling, powerhouse performances, and restrained, emotionally intelligent treatment of a courtroom drama.
The industry-wide appreciation reached a fever pitch when Karan Johar took to Instagram to give HAQ a deeply emotional, unfiltered shout-out, sharing the film’s poster and pouring his heart out in a post that quickly became a moment of collective celebration for the team.

In the caption, he wrote, “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… I don’t think I have been this moved by a performance in many many years… to say that @yamigautam is Brilliant, outstanding , Pathbreaking is still not saying enough…. Her silences, her stares , her last monologue and her stance throughout the film is a master class of craft and conviction …. Salute and Salaam to her! @suparnverma directs the film with such an assured hand… never letting theatrics overpower the emotion and always making the strength of the characters shine with strong silences …he has directed a Brilliant film…. @therealemraan is his career best … he is so convincing and he portrays the insensitive and entitled husband like a bonafide veteran … you hate him and therefore you absolutely Love his performance … kudos to @jungleepictures … Vineet and Amrita .. @vineetjain12 for producing this brave and important motion picture! #harmanbaweja.:. Big applause to @reshunath for writing a solid and poignant film with such strength of narrative… Yami… Am a fan for life! ❤️🙏 #haq on @netflix_in”

Johar’s endorsement arrived alongside a growing chorus of industry voices rallying behind HAQ. Among them was Alia Bhatt, who called Suparn S. Varma’s film “pure gold”, adding to the film’s mounting list of admirers from across generations of Hindi cinema. Responding to the overwhelming appreciation, Varma shared a heartfelt note that underscored what the moment meant to him and the team.

He tweeted, “To get the love and appreciation of your peers and audiences alike is the stuff dreams are made of! On behalf of team #Haq we cannot begin to describe the amazing feeling when your day begins with @aliaa08 posting about her love for @yamigautam and the film and ends with #KaranJohar being so generous in his praise.
As an artist we all aspire for a day like this. Grateful and a heart full of gratitude for the love and praise coming for HAQ from every corner of the world with its @NetflixIndia debut. We are a very small industry and mutual love and respect binds us together along with our passion for cinema.”
Beyond social media applause, HAQ is also making its mark by setting records. As per Netflix’s weekly rankings, the film debuted at No. 1 in India and opened at No. 2 globally on the platform’s Top 10 Non-English Films list. It featured in the Top 10 across 14 countries, reaching the No. 1 position in five countries, and has continued to remain among Netflix India’s most-watched titles, outperforming several films that have been on the platform far longer.
The film’s impact has also drawn praise from an impressive cross-section of the industry. Filmmakers Sujoy Ghosh, Sanjay Gupta, Mohit Suri, Nikkhil Advani, Kabir Khan, Rajkumar Gupta, Honey Trehan, Aniruddh and Kalki Producer Swapna Dutt have lauded Varma’s direction, particularly his ability to balance perspective and let performances drive the narrative.
Actors Farah Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Kriti Sanon, Lakshmi Manchu, Shriya Saran, and Aditi Rao Hydari have echoed similar sentiments, calling Haq impactful, emotionally stirring, and engaging.
With its strong viewership on Netflix and sustained appreciation from across the film fraternity, HAQ has clearly struck a chord. The response further reinforces Suparn S. Varma’s assured, emotionally evocative direction – one that has drawn career-best performances from Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, while once again proving Varma’s rare ability to bring out the very best in his actors. The filmmaker is well on his way to directing a new film, which will be announced soon.