Court – State vs A Nobody

recurring themes of sexual harassment, rape

• Cast: Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Harsh Roshan, Sridevi, Harsha Vardhan, Sivaji…
• Director, Writer: Ram Jagadeesh
• Music Director: Vijai Bulganin

Teenage flirtations lead to a court case under the POCSO Act in this legal drama.

The premise of this film is not entirely new. Many Telugu movies have explored assumptions surrounding interactions between men and women in familial or societal contexts. However, this movie shifts that familiar drama into a courtroom setting, adding a legal dimension to the narrative. Telugu cinema tends to shy away from moral ambiguity, preferring leads who make the “right” choices. This film takes a (very) small step outside that comfort zone by portraying Chandu as a character whose unintentional missteps lead to misinterpretation and scrutiny.

• Direction: Ram Jagadeesh makes his directorial debut with Court, and despite the challenges of a first-time director, he manages to bring this character-driven courtroom drama comes to life. While some rough edges are evident, the film’s emotional depth and relatable characters ensure that these flaws are forgiven.
• Acting: A rarity in contemporary cinema, this film features a cast that delivers emotional and deliberate performances. Harsh Roshan, portraying Chandu, and Sivaji, as Mangapathi, stand out with their compelling screen presence.
• Production Design: From the outset, it’s evident that this film operates on a modest budget. However, with simple yet well-planned sets and thoughtfully designed costumes, the film creates an immersive environment that complements the narrative.
• Music: In the beginning of the film, the narrative is somewhat disrupted by what sounds like generic, royalty-free background music, which momentarily weakens the storytelling. Fortunately, after Mangapathi’s introduction, the music significantly improves, bringing depth to the scenes. The film’s sole song is well-utilized to establish Chandu and Jabilli’s relationship, while the background score effectively enhances the characters of Damu and Mangapathi.
• Dialogues: This is where the movie truly shines. The dialogues are well-crafted, staying true to the characters while driving the narrative forward. Although the film occasionally treads into didactic territory, none of the moments feel exaggerated.

• I particularly appreciated the writing behind Mangapathi’s character. In one scene at the police station, a boy is falsely implicated in a drug case for giving his daughter a “letter,” which turns out to be a worksheet. When the boy protests, insisting that it was only a worksheet, Mangapathi acknowledges his words but dismisses their significance. He tells the boy that regardless of the truth, people would interpret it differently, and ultimately, what mattered to him was not reality but the gossip surrounding it. This moment encapsulates Mangapathi’s perspective, emphasizing his focus on societal perception.
• The film falters when it comes to its legal aspects. The courtroom proceedings deviate from actual legal procedures, making the narrative less believable on that front. Despite this shortcoming, he emotional depth and well-crafted dialogues elevate the storytelling and reinforce the core message.

Yes, people who like an underdog story or a character-driven plot will enjoy this movie

• In the end, the movie strongly endorses education, with Chandu seen going off to school/college. While education undoubtedly provides people with a strong foundation, it is important to recognize that, especially in a capitalist society, a lack of formal education does not equate to a lack of moral character.

• Movie Rating: 6/10
• Maguva Impact Scale: +3