Court: Meaningful film with punch

Court
Starring: Vira Sathidar, Vivek Gomber, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Pradeep Joshi, Usha Bane, Shirish Pawar
Rated: 8/10
Many toasts have been raised for director Chaitanya Tamhane’s debut film Court which, in all aspects, defies his youthfulness — the film comes across as a veteran’s seasoned view of a subject not many filmmakers would delve into — ills of our judicial system and the fact that our laws are so vulnerable to manipulation that they can ruin lives without batting an eyelid
Having travelled with a bundle of ever-increasing accolades through international film circuits and winning best debut and best film awards across many platforms, Court has finally found a low brow release in the mainstream circuit and this tells you the story of how brilliance never really gets the desired platform in the world of cinema.
Court is a simple story about a ballad singer who gets arrested for abetment of suicide of a sewer worker even though he is not involved in it by a yard. The deceased’s wife also acknowledges the same, the facts point towards it and even the lawyers know this is frivolous. But the poor singer, an old and upright man, stays in jail and almost loses the case because he has no means to fight his case.
The lawyer who takes up his case finally secures his release. But life does not change for this singer after the release as he is picked up for any incident anywhere around him just like bad elements get routinely rounded up if there is trouble in their area. Tamhane has packed this simple story in everyday life and unravels the story with understated drama, a lot of humour and a real take as real life. This everyday wrap he gives his film is the ultimate winner, as is his fresh approach to the issue. 
Source: Sunday Pioneer, 19 April, 2015

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