With the release of Haq came positive reviews about the courtroom drama, and rich praise for Yami Gautam Dhar. Can the leading lady ask for anything more? Well, the actor already knows what she wants. “I would love to do a pure romantic film, but I don’t know if many good ones are being made. It’s one of the easier genres, if done right, to connect with the audience,” starts Gautam.
A breezy film is just what she needs after the intense Haq, which saw her play Shazia Bano, who takes the legal route when her ex-husband refuses to pay the monthly maintenance after their divorce. It’s interesting how the film — reportedly inspired by the 1985 Shah Bano case — has resonated with women of today. The actor attributes this to a few factors. “My approach was that Shazia is someone who will be relatable to women across society, regardless of their caste, class, and religion. A well-written script has most of the answers, and I have to credit writer Reshu Nath. For me, getting into the skin of Shazia was believing that there is someone like her. It comes from creating the same emotional wavelength so that you can think like her.”
‘Haq’ is the actor’s second release of 2025 after ‘Dhoom Dhaam’
Soon after the release of Suparn S Varma’s directorial venture, fans on social media appreciated Gautam’s fiery act. Some felt that she could be a contender for the National Film Award. Mention this to her, and she says, “If you feel that, I’m thankful. If I add anything else to it, I’ll sound like a narcissist. So, I’ll never let it play on my mind.”
In the past few years, the actor has featured in several notable movies, from Bala (2019) to OMG 2 (2023) and the recent Dhoom Dhaam. But it hasn’t been an easy road to this point. Despite having a promising start with Vicky Donor (2012), she struggled to find a foothold in the industry until Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). She looks back on the journey with fondness. “What’s a story without challenges, right? When you start acknowledging them and not running away from them, you start enjoying the journey. The most important thing has been tackling them with my head held high.”