Court - State vs. Nobody - minor corrections

 

Court - State Vs. Nobody

2025, Telugu

Genre: Courtroom Drama

Where to Watch: Local theaters

Director: Ram Jagadeesh

Stars: Priyadarshi, Harsh Roshan, Sridevi, Sivaji, Harsh Vardhan, P. Sai Kumar

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐

POCSO is the name of the act which affords minors special rights in the case of molestation. Its use in the Indian judicial system has brought many to justice.  But, at times, as this movie suggests, people use it to their own advantage.

Chandu and Jabili are in love, but Jabili's uncle Mangapathi disapproves. But, rather than  employing the trite gang violence of other films, Mangapathi uses the fact that Jabili is just under 18 to demand the 19 year old Chandu be arrested on violation of POCSO.   What results is a cleverly told story, centered on romance, but focused on the law, justice, and the fine line that separates the two.

Not since Mallesham have we seen Mr. Priyadarshi in such fine form.  He offers us a serious but believable character, Surya Teja, taking on his first real court case; not only to bring out the truth, but also to prove to his senior that he is deserving of the respect and recognition he now lacks.  This case, however, is a complex one, a carefully crafted set of circumstantial evidence that is enough to convict the young man,  which the court is ready to do until the idealistic lawyer arrives.

Mr. Sai Kumar offers up wisdom, but is surprisingly serving a minor role here.  His character is seen as both a hindrance and an aid to Surya Teja.  But, he is not wanting of center stage.  While I certainly would have liked to see more of the actor, I respect the director for keeping him at a distance to allow the new actors room to develop their characters.

These two first-time actors who play the young lovers offer a sentimental element to this otherwise serious drama. And, it is in their innocence about themselves and their emotions that this story becomes more meaningful.  In the critical scene, what we suspect as the inevitable is shown as quite the opposite, without words, in a most convincing way.

Court is a thoughtful drama that is clean enough to watch with the family, yet believable enough to warrant praise.  It is not at the level of the classic American courtroom movies, but it is certainly the best we have seen from Tollywood in quite some time.

We rest our case.