Court – State vs a Nobody is a 2025 Indian Telugu language legal drama film marking the directorial debut of Ram Jagadeesh. The narrative begins as a tender love story but soon transitions into a gripping courtroom saga that delves deep into themes of justice, power dynamics, and emotional upheavals.
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ram Jagadeesh |
| Written by | Ram Jagadeesh |
| Screenplay by | Ram Jagadeesh, Karthikeya Sreenivass, Vamsidhar Sirigiri |
| Produced by | Prashanti Tipirneni |
| Starring | Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Harsh Roshan, Sridevi, Sivaji |
| Cinematography | Dinesh Purushothaman |
| Edited by | Karthika Srinivas |
| Music by | Vijai Bulganin |
| Production Company | Wall Poster Cinema |
| Release date | 14 March 2025 |
| Running time | 149 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Box office | ₹42.30 crore |
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Priyadarshi Pulikonda | Adv. Surya Teja |
| Harsh Roshan | Chandrasekhar “Chandu” |
| Sridevi | Jabilli |
| Sivaji | Mangapathi |
| P. Sai Kumar | Adv. Mohan Rao, Surya Teja’s Senior |
| Harsha Vardhan | Adv. Damodhar “Damu”, Mangapathi’s friend & lawyer |
| Rohini | Jabilli’s Mother |
| Subhalekha Sudhakar | Jabilli’s Grandfather |
| Surabhi Prabhavathi | Chandu’s Mother |
| Rajasekhar Aningi | Chandu’s Father |
| Gopinath | Koti |
| Srihari | Jabilli’s Father (Photo presence) |
Plot/ Summary
The film centers on a passionate defense attorney who challenges systemic prejudices and corruption while representing a teenage client wrongfully presumed guilty of a serious crime.
Surya Teja, a junior lawyer, works at a law firm owned by Mohan Rao (Sai Kumar). He dreams of handling and winning his own case someday, striving to surpass his father, whose legal career was limited to notarizing documents.
Chandrashekar, a 19 year old boy, takes on various odd jobs to support his family, which consists of his father, a watchman on a plot of land, his mother, and his sister. He falls in love with Jabilli, a 17-year-old girl from a well to do family. Her uncle, Mangapathi, holds authority over the family, as Jabilli’s father has passed away. Mangapathi, with the help of his lawyer Damodhar, often bribes the police to fabricate false cases against anyone he believes has tarnished his family’s reputation.
Upon discovering Jabilli’s relationship with Chandrashekar, Mangapathi manipulates the system to have Chandrashekar arrested under the POCSO Act a law designed to swiftly prosecute rapists and pedophiles using it as a tool to destroy the young man’s life.
Critical Reception
Upon its release on March 14, 2025, the film garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The Times of India described it as , a riveting blend of innocent love and legal drama, highlighting the film’s thoughtful writing and sharp dialogues. OTTplay praised it as “a must-watch courtroom drama with intense storytelling. The Hans India lauded the film, stating it anchors an entertaining legal drama that settles for less.
Conclusion
Court – State vs a Nobody stands out as a compelling legal drama that combines elements of romance and courtroom tension, offering viewers a thought-provoking cinematic experience.
