Court is a 2014 Indian legal drama film written and directed by Chaitanya Tamhane in his directorial debut. The film examines the Indian legal system through the Mumbai Sessions Court trial of an aging protest singer, Narayan Kamble (Vira Sathidar), who is accused of encouraging a maintenance hole worker to commit suicide through one of his folk songs. It also stars Geetanjali Kulkarni, Pradeep Joshi, and Shirish Pawar. The film’s music was composed by Sambhaji Bhagat, while Mrinal Desai and Rikhav Desai served as cinematographer and editor, respectively.
Tamhane was curious to see the difference between real courtrooms and the way they were depicted in films. After encountering several real-life cases, he wanted to explore the “judicial nightmare” in an Indian setting. His friend Vivek Gomber agreed to produce the film and also acted in it. The crew consisted of newcomers, and the actors were non-professionals. Four languages are spoken in the film: Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, and English. Most of the dialogue is in Marathi, as it is set in Maharashtra.
Court – State vs. A Nobody (2025)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Language | Telugu |
| Genre | Crime, Legal Drama |
| Director | Ram Jagadeesh |
| Cast | Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Harsh Roshan, Sridevi, Sivaji, Sai Kumar |
| Release Date | March 14, 2025 (Theatrical), April 11, 2025 (OTT – Netflix) |
Release Date
Court had its world premiere at the 71st Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2014, where it received widespread international acclaim. It was later released in India on April 17, 2015, after making rounds at several prestigious film festivals, including those in Vienna, Mumbai, and Rotterdam.
The film was selected as India’s official entry for the 88th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, cementing its place in cinematic history.
Cast
The cast of Court includes primarily non-professional actors, which adds to its raw and grounded feel. Here are the key performers:
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Vira Sathidar as Narayan Kamble – A 65-year-old folk singer and social activist who is arrested and put on trial for allegedly encouraging a man to commit suicide through one of his protest songs.
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Vivek Gomber as Vinay Vora: The defense lawyer is a liberal and educated man who believes in justice and due process.
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Geetanjali Kulkarni as Public Prosecutor Nutan – A traditional middle-class woman whose arguments are rooted in blind adherence to state authority.
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Pradeep Joshi as Judge Sadavarte – The presiding judge whose bureaucratic behavior reflects the slow, procedural decay of the legal system.
Plot and Story
The film opens with the arrest of Narayan Kamble, who is accused of abetting the suicide of a sewage worker. Authorities claim that one of Kamble’s revolutionary folk songs incited the deceased man to kill himself. The rest of the movie unfolds within the courtroom, but unlike conventional legal dramas filled with suspense or moral grandstanding, Court adopts a minimalist, observational approach.
Through the trial, the film doesn’t just focus on Kamble’s story—it explores the lives of everyone involved in the legal process:
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The defense lawyer, who teaches a Westernized lifestyle, is fighting a system deeply rooted in tradition.
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The public prosecutor lives a rigid, middle-class life and clings to procedure even when it’s morally questionable.
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The vacation plans seem more important than the case before him.
Overview
The official trailer of Court is understated and deliberately avoids melodrama. It opens with Kamble singing at a protest and then cuts to his sudden arrest. Through quiet, still shots of courtrooms, homes, and government offices, the trailer sets the tone for a film that relies on realism rather than theatrics.
The trailer’s use of natural lighting, long takes, and minimal background music reflects the film’s documentary-like aesthetic, building intrigue around how justice is interpreted and delivered in real-life India.
Themes Explored
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Justice vs. Bureaucracy: The film underscores how the judicial system can be an endless maze, more focused on paperwork than people.
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Freedom of Speech: It questions how easily the state can silence dissenting voices under the pretext of national security.
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Caste and Class Discrimination: Implicit in the trial is the divide between the privileged and the marginalized, especially Dalits and working-class individuals.
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Institutional Apathy: The film captures how indifference within the system leads to dehumanization and hopelessness.
Critical Reception
Court received over 30 international awards, including:
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Best Film (Orizzonti) at the Venice Film Festival
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Best Feature Film at India’s National Film Awards
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Best Director and Screenplay at the Mumbai Film Festival
What Critics Said:
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The New York Times: “A quiet but damning portrait of a system failing its people.”
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Variety: “A masterclass in restraint and realism.”
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The Guardian: “Beautifully shot, elegantly performed, and painfully honest.”
On Rotten Tomatoes, Court holds a 98% approval rating, and on IMDb, it boasts an impressive score of 7.6/10, mainly from international film aficionados and cinephiles.
Box Office and Accessibility
While Court had a limited theatrical release, it performed well for an indie film and found its real audience through film festivals and streaming platforms. It has since been made available on platforms like Netflix, MUBI, and Amazon Prime Video, often with subtitles in multiple languages.
Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Court released?
The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2014 and was theatrically released in India on April 17, 2015.
Who directed the Court?
Chaitanya Tamhane made his directorial debut with this film.
What is the central plot of the film?
The story follows Narayan Kamble, an aging folk singer accused of inciting a sewage worker’s suicide through his music.
Who are the prominent cast members?
The film stars Vira Sathidar as Narayan Kamble, Vivek Gomber as defense lawyer Vinay Vora, and Geetanjali Kulkarni as public prosecutor Nutan.
What languages are spoken in the film?
The film features Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, and English dialogues.
What awards has the Court won?
Court has won numerous awards, including Best Film in the Horizons category at the Venice Film Festival and the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in India.
Is Court based on a true story?
While not based on a specific true story, the film draws inspiration from real-life cases and aims to depict the intricacies of the Indian judicial system.
What is the film’s runtime?
The movie has a runtime of approximately 116 minutes.
What themes does the film explore?
Court delves into themes of justice, bureaucracy, freedom of expression, and the socio-political landscape of contemporary India.
How did critics receive the film?
The film received widespread critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the legal system and its thought-provoking narrative.
Conclusion
The court stands as a poignant critique of the Indian judicial system, shedding light on its complexities and the socio-political factors influencing it. Through its meticulous storytelling and authentic performances, the film offers a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences and critics alike. Chaitanya Tamhane’s directorial debut not only garnered international acclaim but also sparked discussions on the need for judicial reforms. Its realistic depiction serves as a mirror to society, encouraging introspection and dialogue. Court is not just a film; it’s a significant cultural artifact that continues to influence and inspire.