Court (Telugu)
Director Ram Jagadeesh’s debut film Court: State vs A Nobody is an ambitious legal drama following two underdogs– a young man booked under stringent laws and a novice lawyer who takes up his case. Written by Ram himself along with Vamsidhar Sirigiri and Karthikeya Sreenivass, the film attempts to examine how the law is influenced by power and social standing.
Set in 2013 Visakhapatnam, the story follows 19-year-old Chandrasekhar (Harsh Roshan), the son of a watchman, who struggles to make ends meet by doing odd jobs. Despite his father’s insistence on him continuing his studies, Chandu remains disillusioned, arguing that education is not important. His life takes a dramatic turn when he crosses paths with 17-year-old Jabili (Sridevi Apalla), who hails from a wealthy, dominant caste family.
Jabili is attracted to his brash demeanour and the two soon fall in love. However, their love story meets a cruel fate when Jabili’s uncle, Mangapathi (Sivaji), learns about their relationship. A rigid patriarch who dictates the conduct of women in his own household, Mangapathi fabricates a case against Chandu. Along with charges including stalking and sexual harassment, Mangapathi uses his influence to ensure that Chandu is booked under the POCSO Act and held in judicial custody without bail.
Just as the Sessions Court seems set to deliver a verdict in Mangapathi’s favour, an unassuming Surya Teja (Priyadarshi) intervenes and the retrial begins.
What compels Surya Teja to take up the case is not established effectively though there is some melodrama around it. However, the symbolic significance of their names adds a poetic touch to the narrative—just as the moon (Chandu) needs the sun (Surya) to shine, Chandu’s fate hinges on Surya Teja’s efforts. Both characters share a common underdog spirit, facing challenges that test their resilience.
Although Court aspires to be a gripping legal drama, it leans heavily onto melodrama rather than procedural precision, affecting its impact. The screenplay occasionally falters, particularly in its attempt to weave in subplots about education and women’s empowerment.
For instance, Chandu is reluctant to study further. And when the magistrate learns that he is a college dropout, she is quick to judge his character and remand him in custody. But this does not translate well on screen–the critique of social bias within courts remains underwhelming.
Similarly, a subplot involving Jabili’s mother Seetha (Rohini Molleti) also remains incoherent. In a short scene, it is established that Mangapathi became the patriarch of the house after Jabili’s father’s demise. Seetha expresses her helplessness by pointing out what can be done when the elder man of the house himself bows down to Mangapathi. There is a scene at the end where Seetha walks out of the house, taking charge of herself and her daughter. But this transformation is not registered strongly owing to the weak arc of the character.
However, despite these shortcomings, Court remains an engaging watch, thanks to its powerful performances. Priyadarshi, Sivaji, Harsha Vardhan, Saikumar, and Rohini deliver compelling portrayals, with Sivaji standing out as the formidable and oppressive Mangapathi. His performance anchors the film, lending gravity to the conflict.
Vijai Bulganin’s music adds depth to the emotions of each scene and compliments the visuals. Dinesh Purushothaman’s cinematography is flawless. The frames and their tones bring forth the sobriety the film deserves.
While Court could have been a more riveting legal drama with a tighter script and a stronger focus on its themes, it still succeeds in raising important questions about justice, privilege, and the impact of certain laws.
On the whole, Ram Jagadeesh’s debut is an ambitious effort, balancing mainstream appeal with a socially relevant narrative.
Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film’s producers or any other members of its cast and crew.