There’s something about courtroom dramas that hooks us. The tension, the truth bombs, the final verdict, and the intensity of it all keep us glued. But it gets even better when the story isn’t entirely made up. Bollywood has a long history of borrowing from real cases that once had the entire country talking. And now, Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam’s movie Haq has the internet buzzing. Haq is inspired by the 1985 Shah Bano case which made headlines across the country. If you loved the trailer of Haq, here are some underrated but absolutely gritty Bollywood movies based on true legal stories to watch.

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1. Gumnaami

Based on the “Gumnami Baba” case, the film follows journalist Chandrachur Dhar as he investigates claims that a mysterious hermit in Faizabad was actually a freedom fighter in disguise. Based on the Mukherjee Commission Hearings, Gumnaami blurs the lines between fact and folklore, leaving viewers questioning whether history ever tells us the full truth.

2. Ankur Arora Murder Case

This legal drama was inspired by a real-life incident of medical negligence that shocked the nation. The story follows a young boy’s death during surgery and a mother’s relentless fight against a powerful hospital. It captures the ethical grey zones of medicine, exposing how one mistake can turn a place of healing into a battlefield of morality and law.

3. Not a Love Story

Loosely based on the Neeraj Grover murder case, this Ram Gopal Varma film unravels a chilling narrative of love, obsession, and crime. The story follows an aspiring actor whose life spirals out of control after a moment of passion turns deadly. With handheld camera work and unsettling realism, the film feels more like a confession than fiction. And Deepak Dobriyal is an absolute delight to watch.

4. No One Killed Jessica

This film is quite popular but definitely worth a mention. Based on the real-life Jessica Lal murder case, this film captures the public outrage and media frenzy that followed the acquittal of a well-connected killer. It explores how justice is not always served; sometimes, it is demanded.

5. Shahid

This Hansal Mehta masterpiece tells the extraordinary true story of human rights lawyer Shahid Azmi, who fought tirelessly for those wrongly accused of terrorism. From being a victim of police brutality to a fearless defender of justice, Rajkummar Rao’s portrayal of Shahid is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

6. Main Aur Charles

Inspired by the infamous Charles Sobhraj case, this film presents a stylised retelling of the serial conman’s manipulative charm and legal escapades. Randeep Hooda’s portrayal of Sobhraj blurs the line between villain and enigma, and the way the film explores the seductive psychology of crime is pure cinema.

7. Rahasya

Inspired by the real-life Aarushi Talwar case, Rahasya pulls you into a twisted family saga. Here, everyone has a secret and everyone is a culprit. This film didn’t get half the attention it deserved, but if you love courtroom drama mixed with murder mystery, this movie is a gripping watch.

Before Haq releases, watch these Bollywood movies based on true stories, and if you haven’t watched the movie’s trailer yet, watch it here.

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