Would ‘Haq’ Have Been Cheaper and Still a Hit Without Yami Gautam Dhar

The movie Haq is the big success story of 2025. It was released on November 7, 2025. This courtroom drama is winning over audiences everywhere. The film stars Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam Dhar. Both stars have been praised for their powerful acting.

But success always brings up money questions. Haq was made on a big budget for a serious drama. Many fans and trade experts are asking: Could the producers have saved money? Specifically, 

Would the film Haq have been cheaper without Yami Gautam Dhar?

According to News 24 reports, the cost of the main actors was a large part of the budget. The Indian Express confirmed that the total budget was high for this kind of movie. Let us break down the costs and see if removing a lead actor would have been smart.

The Financial Breakdown of ‘Haq’

To answer the question, we must know exactly how much money was spent. The total cost of Haq was reportedly around ₹45 Crores. This money is split into two main parts: the money paid to actors (Fees) and the money spent on making the movie (Production).

The Star Power Cost

The salaries paid to the main actors are the biggest part of the budget.

• Emraan Hashmi’s Fee: The male lead, Emraan Hashmi, was reportedly paid ₹12 Crores.
• Yami Gautam Dhar’s Fee: Yami Gautam, the female lead, was also paid an estimated ₹12 Crores.

Total Star Fees: These two actors alone took up ₹24 Crores of the budget.

The Production Cost

The remaining money was used to make the movie look good.

• Total Production and P&A (Advertising): The cost for sets, crew, shooting, editing, and promotion was about ₹21 Crores (₹45 Crores total budget minus ₹24 Crores in fees).

The ‘Cheaper’ Scenario: Saving ₹12 Crores

Let us imagine a situation where Yami Gautam Dhar was not cast. The producers would have saved her ₹12 Crore fee immediately.

• Original Budget: ₹45 Crores
• New Budget (Without Yami’s Fee): ₹45 Crores – ₹12 Crores = ₹33 Crores

Yes, the movie would have been ₹12 Crores cheaper.

But would this smaller movie have been a hit? This is the most important question. Cutting costs is only smart if the film still succeeds. If the film is cheaper but fails, the producers lose all their money.

The Hidden Cost: Would the Film Still Work?

In a film like Haq, Yami Gautam Dhar’s job was not just to look good. She was the co-lead. She played an equally important role in the courtroom battles.

The Role of the Co-Lead

• Artistic Value: Courtroom dramas depend on the tension between two powerful lawyers or opponents. Yami’s role was crucial for this. Her character provided the necessary fire and argument against Emraan’s character. Without a strong co-lead, the script would have fallen flat. The film needed a strong actress to create that necessary battle.
• Casting a Newcomer: If the producers had cast a new or unknown actress to save money (paying maybe ₹1 Crore instead of ₹12 Crores), the film would have saved ₹11 Crores. But the new actress might not have brought the necessary star power or acting talent.

The Star Power Balance

Yami Gautam Dhar is a recognized and respected actress across India. She has delivered many hits.

• Box Office Value: Her name on the poster helps sell tickets. The audience trusts her acting. Her presence gave the film a better chance to open strong. A big, successful film is always worth the cost. The film needed two big names to attract a national audience.

Cost vs. Value: Why ₹12 Crores Was Worth It

Haq is on track to earn over ₹60 Crores at the box office (Nett India).

• Profit with Yami: ₹60 Crores (Collection) – ₹45 Crores (Cost) = ₹15 Crores Profit (approx).
• Risk without Yami: If the film was cheaper (₹33 Crores) but only collected ₹25 Crores because it was weaker, the producers would have made a loss of ₹8 Crores.

The ₹12 Crores paid to Yami Gautam Dhar was an investment. That investment helped the film become a major success. By paying for top talent, the producers lowered their risk. They ensured the film was strong enough to make a profit.

Therefore, while the film would have been cheaper without her, it almost certainly would not have been as successful. The cost was high, but the value she added was much higher.

---

BoxOfficeWala Opinion

“The short answer is yes, Haq would have been ₹12 Crores cheaper without Yami Gautam. But that would have been a terrible financial mistake. In this business, you invest in talent to guarantee quality. Yami is a strong, bankable star. Her performance was a cornerstone of the film’s success. She was worth every single rupee of that ₹12 Crore fee. Producers need to think about Value, not just Cost. She was the right investment that helped turn a ₹45 Crore film into a ₹60 Crore+ winner.”

Detailed Methodology

The conclusion is based on the standard financial model used in the Indian film industry.

Element	The exact amount saved if she were removed.	Analysis of Impact
Total Budget	₹45 Crores	The baseline cost for a profitable film.
Yami Gautam’s Fee	₹12 Crores	What the film needs to earn to cover costs and distribution.
Break-Even Point	₹45-50 Crores	What the film needs to earn to cover cost and distribution.
Theatrical Value	High Star Power, Strong Performer	Reduces risk of box office failure, drives better opening day.
Result	Film is a Hit (over ₹60 Crores)	The ₹12 Crores fee contributed to the film crossing the break-even mark easily.
Conclusion	The ₹12 Crores was a necessary expenditure to ensure the film’s artistic quality and box office success.