Courtroom dramas in Telugu cinema have been few and far between, with most avoiding heroic elevations. Nani produced the film Court – State vs. A Nobody to fill that gap. Ram Jagadeesh made his directorial debut with this film, starring Sivaji and Priyadarshi in the lead roles. Read the review here.
Story: Mangapati (Sivaji) is a well-respected man with political influence and power in his town. Jabili (Sridevi), a member of his family, falls in love with Chandu (Harsh Roshan), a boy from a lower social class. Mangapati falsely accuses Chandu in multiple cases, including a POCSO case, and mercilessly has him imprisoned. How does Chandu fight these charges? How does lawyer Surya Teja (Priyadarshi) help him? This forms the core plot of Court-State vs. A nobody
Performances: The film features many senior and young actors, but Sivaji dominates with his commanding screen presence and exceptional dialogue delivery. Making his silver screen comeback after 11 years (Buchamma Boochodu), he impresses in every scene. His re-entry will be remembered in Telugu cinema history, as he fully embodies the role of Mangapati. His character is highly relatable, reminding us of a strict uncle or grandfather in our own families.
Another senior actor, Saikumar, also gets a well-defined role. In the second half, his words in a key scene with Priyadarshi carry weight and meaning. The scene is well-composed and impactful. Priyadarshi once again proves himself as a well-balanced performer, effortlessly portraying emotions like anger, surprise, and humor. His clear dialogue delivery and strong command of the Telugu language make his role as a lawyer even more convincing. He further elevates his stature as an actor with his nuanced performance.
Harsh Roshan, who impressed audiences in Swag, plays a crucial role in the film. His performance, particularly in the second half—where he expresses emotions solely through gestures without any dialogue—is commendable. Sridevi adds freshness to the film. Her innocent tears create an emotional impact on the audience.
Technical Aspects: Dinesh Purushothaman’s cinematography, Karthik Srinivas’s editing, and Vijay Bulganin’s music complement each other well, ensuring a polished visual and auditory experience. The art department deserves special appreciation for creating a realistic courtroom set that feels authentic. However, one dialogue at the end—where Jabili declares, “Today is my 18th birthday,”—dilutes the film’s critical point about the POCSO Act. Muting or modifying this line would prevent any unintended misinterpretation.
Analysis: A gripping screenplay and strong legal arguments are crucial for engaging courtroom dramas. The film’s logic and mystery elements play a key role in audience engagement. Unfortunately, the Court falls short of fully delivering on these aspects. However, director Ram Jagadeesh deserves praise for handling the sensitive POCSO Act as the film’s core subject without resorting to vulgarity.
However, the way he structures courtroom proceedings for convenience makes certain arguments feel simplistic. Harshavardhan’s legal points should have been stronger, as they were easily countered during cross-examination. A more complex portrayal of legal intricacies would have made the courtroom scenes more compelling.
While Shivaji’s character delivers powerful moments, exploring his backstory further would have provided better emotional depth. The scenes between Saikumar and Priyadarshi are well-written, especially when Saikumar explains a lawyer’s responsibility, giving the film a strong moment of insight.
Verdict: Overall, Court-State vs. A Nobody is a decent courtroom drama that has been made on an honest not. Though the film has logical flows and lag, Sivaji’s powerful performance, Saikumar’s composed dialogues, Harsh Roshan’s silent yet expressive acting, and Ram Jagadeesh’s sensibilities make the film worth a watch.
Bottom Line: Sivaji steals the show
Rating: 3/5
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