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{{For|the 2014 film|Court (2014 film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Court: State vs A Nobody
| image = Court - State Vs A Nobody.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Ram Jagadeesh
| producer = [[Prashanti Tipirneni]]
| writer = Ram Jagadeesh
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
* Ram Jagadeesh
* Karthikeya Sreenivass
* Vamsidhar Sirigiri
}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Priyadarshi Pulikonda]]
* [[P. Sai Kumar]]
* [[Sivaji (Telugu actor)|Sivaji]]
* [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]]
* [[Harsha Vardhan]]
* [[Subhalekha Sudhakar]]
* Harsh Roshan
* Sridevi Apalla
}}
| music = [[Vijai Bulganin]]
| cinematography = Dinesh Purushothaman
| editing = [[Karthika Srinivas]]
| studio = [[Wall Poster Cinema]]
| distributor =
| released = {{film date|2025|3|14|df=yes}}
| runtime = 149 minutes<ref name=":TH1" />
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget = {{INR|4{{ndash}}5 crore}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sangam |first1=Sowmya |title=Court - State vs A Nobody Hits Box Office, Set for Netflix Release |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/court-state-vs-a-nobody-hits-box-office-set-for-netflix-release-954927 |website=www.thehansindia.com |access-date=3 May 2025 |language=en |date=18 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Prakash |first1=B. V. S. |title=Court Movie Strikes a Rs 8 Crore OTT Deal |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/court-movie-strikes-a-rs-8-crore-ott-deal-1867782 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |access-date=3 May 2025 |language=en |date=19 March 2025}}</ref>
| gross = {{Estimation}} {{INR|57{{ndash}}58.15 crore}}{{efn|name="courtbo"|''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' has reported {{INR|57 crore}} gross,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-04-07 |title=Nani's Court Finally on OTT! Where to watch |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/ott/nanis-court-finally-on-ott-where-to-watch-1871437 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref> whereas ''[[News18]]'' reported {{INR|58.15 crore}} gross<ref>{{Cite web |last= Mukherjee |first=Anindita| title=Court: State vs A Nobody Scores Big With Rs 58.15 Crore Worldwide, Tops ROI Charts |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/court-state-vs-a-nobody-scores-big-with-rs-58-15-crore-worldwide-tops-roi-charts-aa-9316369.html |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=[[News18]] |language=en}}</ref>}}
}}
'''''Court: State vs A Nobody''''' is a 2025 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[legal drama]] film written and directed by Ram Jagadeesh in his directorial debut; it was produced by [[Prashanti Tipirneni]] and presented by [[Nani (actor)|Nani]], through [[Wall Poster Cinema]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pulluri |first1=Uday |last2=Sistu |first2=Suhas |title=Priyadarshi's 'COURT – State Vs A Nobody' trailer receives high praise |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/priyadarshis-court-state-vs-a-nobody-trailer-receives-high-praise-952075 |work=[[The Hans India]] |date=8 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Court: State Vs A Nobody': Will Ram Jagadeesh's directorial debut with Priyadarshi deliver a knockout? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/court-state-vs-a-nobody-reviewcourt-state-vs-a-nobody-will-ram-jagadeeshs-directorial-debut-with-priyadarshi-deliver-a-knockout/articleshow/118979851.cms |work=The Times of India |date=13 March 2025}}</ref> The film stars [[Priyadarshi Pulikonda]], [[P. Sai Kumar]], [[Sivaji (Telugu actor)|Sivaji]], [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]], [[Harsha Vardhan]], [[Subhalekha Sudhakar]], Harsh Roshan and Sridevi Apalla in important roles.

The film was released on 14 March 2025 to positive reviews from critics and was successful at the box office grossing {{INR|57–58.15 crore}} worldwide.{{efn|name=courtbo}} The film is being remade in Tamil as ''Ranjan – The Advocate''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-06 |title=Prashanth's next titled Ranjan, Thiagarajan confirmed to direct |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2026/Apr/06/prashanth-to-headline-courts-tamil-remake-titled-ranjan-thiagarajan-confirmed-to-direct |access-date=2026-04-06 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Surya Teja is a junior lawyer at a Law firm owned by Mohan Rao. He aspires to one day be given and win an individual case so that he can be more than what his father was able to do, which was notarise documents.

Chandrashekar is a 19-year-old boy who does numerous errands to support himself. His family constitutes his father, who works as a watchman in a plot of land, his mother and sister. Chandrashekar is contacted by a 17-year-old girl, Jabilli who comes from a well to do family and is friend of his neighbour. Soon the teenagers fall in love.

Mangapathi, married to Jabilli's paternal aunt, is considered as the head of the family, as Jabilli's father has died. Mangapathi uses his lawyer Damodhar and bribes the police office to create false cases against people he believes have done something to tarnish his, and by extension his family, image or honour.

When Mangapathi finds out Jabili is discretely spending time with Chandrashekar, he gets Chandrashekar arrested and charged with the [[Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act|POCSO act]], a law designed to quickly and effectively convict rapists and pedophiles of minor victims.

How Surya Teja happens to stumble upon this case and if justice is served to Chandrashekar forms the crux of the story.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[Priyadarshi Pulikonda]] as [[Advocate|Adv.]] Surya Teja
* [[P. Sai Kumar]] as Advocate G. Mohan Rao, Surya Teja's Senior
* [[Sivaji (Telugu actor)|Sivaji]] as Mangapathi, Jabilli's uncle
* [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]] as Meruvalli Seetha Ratnam, Jabilli's mother
* [[Harsha Vardhan]] as Advocate K. S. Damodhar "Damu", Mangapathi's personal friend and lawyer
* [[Subhalekha Sudhakar]] as Meruvalli Ramachandrayya, Jabilli's paternal grandfather
* Harsh Roshan as Mettu Chandrasekhar "Chandu"
* Sridevi Apalla as Meruvalli Jabilli
* Vadlamani Srinivas as Lawyer Sivaram
* Surabhi Prabhavathi as Mettu Nagalakshmi, Chandu's mother
* Rajasekhar Aningi as Chandu's father
* Vishika as Lahari
* Raghuram as Reddy
* Srinivas Bhogireddy as Judge
* Kamal as Doctor Prabhakar
* Jwala Koti as [[Circle Inspector|CI]] K. Ramesh Reddy
* Ramu as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] S. Ravi Kumar
* Sai Raj as Bech Clerk
* Srivani Tripuraneni as Surya Teja's mother
* Surya Teja as Jabilli's paternal uncle
* Vani Shalini as Jabilli's aunt
* Godavari Gopi as Koti
* Vidyasagar Karampuri as Ramu Naidu
* [[Srihari (actor)|Srihari]] as Jabilli's father (posthumous photographic appearance)
}}

== Production ==
Ram Jagadeesh approached [[Priyadarshi Pulikonda]] with a romance story, which Priyadarshi was not interested in. Then Ram Jagadeesh told Priyadarshi about a friend of his who was wrongly accused of a crime. Priyadarshi asked Ram to research similar cases.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dundoo |first1=Sangeetha Devi |title=Watch: Priyadarshi Pulikonda on 'Court' and balancing comedy and offbeat films |url=https://www.thehindu.com/videos/priyadarshi-interview-cinema-is-only-a-part-of-my-life/article69315934.ece |work=The Hindu |date=12 March 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Subsequently, Ram read case files related to the [[POCSO Act]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harsh |first1=B. H. |title=Ram Jagadeesh: Circumstances can turn anyone into a villain |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/interviews/2025/Mar/12/ram-jagadeesh-circumstances-can-turn-anyone-into-a-villain |work=Cinema Express |date=8 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> He drew inspiration from the case files he read and developed a fictional story.<ref>{{cite news |title=Court: State Vs A Nobody is a fictional story inspired by many real life incidents, says director Ram Jagadish |url=https://telanganatoday.com/court-state-vs-a-nobody-is-a-fictional-story-inspired-by-many-real-life-incidents-says-director-ram-jagadish |work=[[Telangana Today]] |date=13 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The screenplay was written by Ram Jagadeesh with Karthikeya Sreenivass and Vamsidhar Sirigiri.<ref name=":TH1" /> The film was produced by [[Prashanti Tipirneni]], while Deepthi Ganta co-produced it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nani to present 'Court: State vs A Nobody' starring Priyadarshi Pulikonda |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/nani-present-court-state-vs-nodboy-priyadarshi-pulikonda/article69118658.ece/ |work=The Hindu |date=20 January 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sistu |first1=Suhas |title=Court – State vs. a Nobody: Priyadarshi opens up about his role and film journey |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/court-state-vs-a-nobody-priyadarshi-opens-up-about-his-role-and-film-journey-953031 |work=The Hans India |date=11 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In August 2024, [[Nani (actor)|Nani]] announced that he would present the film ''Court'': ''State vs a Nobody'', unveiling a title motion poster.<ref>{{cite news |title=Court - State Vs A Nobody: Nani Announces His Next Production With Director Ram Jagadeesh |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/did-you-check-out-motion-poster-of-nanis-production-court-state-vs-a-nobody-6453660 |work=[[NDTV]] |date=30 August 2024 |language=en |archive-date=7 September 2024 |access-date=13 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907074121/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/did-you-check-out-motion-poster-of-nanis-production-court-state-vs-a-nobody-6453660/amp/1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nani Presents Court - State Vs A Nobody With Priyadarshi Pulikonda In The Lead |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/nani-presents-court-state-vs-a-nobody-with-priyadarshi-pulikonda-in-the-lead-9034530.html |work=News18 |date=31 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Principal photography began in September 2024.<ref name=":TH1">{{cite news |last1=Dundoo |first1=Sangeetha Devi |title=Director Ram Jagadeesh interview: The drama in 'Court' concerns the POCSO Act |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/court-director-ram-jagadeesh-interview-nani-priyadarshi/article69298379.ece/ |work=The Hindu |date=8 March 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Court {{ndash}} State vs a Nobody
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Vijai Bulganin]]
| released = 14 February 2025
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 8:54
| language = Telugu
| label = [[Saregama]]
| producer =
| chronology = [[Vijai Bulganin]]
| prev_title = [[Janaka Aithe Ganaka]]
| prev_year = 2024
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Court {{ndash}} State vs a Nobody
| type = soundtrack
| single1 = Premalo
| single1date = 14 February 2025<ref name=":ST">{{cite web |title='Premalo' song from 'Court' is out |url=https://telugucinema.com/news/premalo-song-from-court-is-out |website=[[Telugucinema.com]] |date=14 February 2025}}</ref>
| single2 = Chitti Guvva
| single2date = 26 March 2025
}}
}}
The film has a soundtrack composed by [[Vijai Bulganin]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harsh |first1=B. H. |title='Premalo' from Court - State vs A Nobody is a tender yet infectious love song |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Feb/14/premalo-from-court-state-vs-a-nobody-is-a-tender-yet-infectious-love-song |work=[[Cinema Express]] |date=14 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The soundtrack comprises two songs.<ref name=":TH1" /> The first song was released on 14 February 2025.<ref name=":ST" />
{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Premalo
| length1 = 5:30
| lyrics1 = Purna Chary
| extra1 = [[Anurag Kulkarni]], Sameera Bharadwaj
| title2 = Chitti Guvva
| length2 = 3:24
| lyrics2 = Purnachary
| extra2 = [[Kala Bhairava]]
| total_length = 8:54
}}

== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
''Court {{Ndash}} State vs a Nobody'' was released theatrically on 14 March 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harsh |first1=B. H. |title=Priyadarshi-starrer Court - State vs A Nobody gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Jan/18/priyadarshi-starrer-court-state-vs-a-nobody-gets-a-release-date |work=Cinema Express |date=8 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The film received positive reviews from the critics.<ref>{{cite news |title=Court Movie Review: నాని 'కోర్ట్‌' మూవీ రివ్యూ {{!}} Court: State Vs A Nobody Movie Review In Telugu {{!}} Sakshi |url=https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/movies/court-state-vs-nobody-movie-review-telugu-2392905 |work=[[Sakshi (newspaper)|Sakshi]] |date=13 March 2025 |language=te}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
The digital streaming rights were acquired by [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Court—State Vs A Nobody OTT Release: When And Where To Watch The Priyadarshi Film |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/court-state-vs-a-nobody-ott-release-when-and-where-to-watch-the-priyadarshi-film-aa-9260842.html |work=News18 |date=13 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 March 2025 |title=కోర్ట్‌, దిల్‌రూబా సినిమాలు వచ్చేవి ఆ ఓటీటీలోనే! {{!}} Court State vs a Nobody, Dilruba Movie OTT Partner Details {{!}} Sakshi |trans-title=The movies Court and Dilruba were released on that OTT platform! |url=https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/movies/court-state-vs-nobody-dilruba-movie-ott-partner-details-2394485 |work=[[Sakshi (newspaper)|Sakshi]] |language=te}}</ref> It was released on 11 April 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-07 |title='Court: State Vs A Nobody' OTT release date: When and where to watch Ram Jagadeesh's debut directorial |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/court-state-vs-a-nobody-ott-release-date-when-and-where-to-watch-ram-jagadeeshs-debut-directorial/articleshow/120064187.cms |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Critical reception ===
Paul Nicodemus of ''[[The Times of India]]'' rated the film three-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote, "Debutant director Ram Jagadeesh punches well above his weight, delivering a film that is both deeply moving and socially relevant. ''Court: State vs A Nobody'' is not just a courtroom drama—it is a slice-of-life portrayal of human emotions, societal biases, and the pursuit of justice."<ref>{{cite news |title=Court - State Vs. A Nobody Movie Review : A Riveting Blend of Innocent Love and Legal Drama |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/court-state-vs-a-nobody/movie-review/118987336.cms |work=The Times of India |date=13 March 2025}}</ref> Avad Mohammad of ''[[OTTplay]]'' gave the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "a gripping courtroom drama with outstanding performances, a strong message, and powerful emotions. Though the film starts slow, once it reaches the conflict point, there is hardly a dull moment."<ref>{{cite news |title=Court – State vs. A Nobody Review: A must-watch courtroom drama with intense storytelling |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/court-state-vs-a-nobody-review-a-must-watch-courtroom-drama-with-intense-storytelling/20ad03a896770 |work=[[OTTplay]] |date=13 March 2025}}</ref> A critic from ''[[The Hans India]]'' gave the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "''Court: State Vs A Nobody'' is an engaging legal drama with standout performances from Priyadarshi, Shivaji, and Harsh Roshan. Though the first half is slow, the courtroom sequences in the latter half make it worth a watch."<ref>{{cite news |title='Court: State Vs A Nobody' review: Case won |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/movie-reviews/court-state-vs-a-nobody-review-case-won-80652 |work=The Hans India |date=14 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Avinash Ramachandran of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave the 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Strong performances and emotional beats do the heavy lifting in this familiar legal drama."<ref>{{cite news |title=Court – State vs A Nobody Movie Review: Priyadarshi anchors an entertaining legal drama that settles for less |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/court-state-vs-a-nobody-movie-review-priyadarshi-anchors-an-entertaining-legal-drama-that-settles-for-less-9886229/lite/ |work=The Indian Express |date=14 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

Satya Pulagam of ''[[ABP Desam]]'' rated the film three out of five stars.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pulagam |first1=Satya |title='కోర్టు' రివ్యూ: థియేటర్లలో వాదనలు నిలబడతాయా? నాని నిర్మించిన సినిమా ఎలా ఉందంటే? |url=https://telugu.abplive.com/movie-review/entertainment/movie-review-court-state-vs-a-nobody-movie-review-in-telugu-actor-nani-production-court-movie-rating-review-telugu-200690 |work=telugu.abplive.com |date=13 March 2025 |language=te}}</ref> Jalapathy Gudelli of ''[[Telugucinema.com]]'' gave the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "a fairly engaging courtroom drama that sparks reflection on societal and judicial issues. Despite a sluggish first half and some narrative conveniences, strong performances—particularly from Priyadarshi and Shivaji—and a well-executed second half make it a worthwhile watch."<ref>{{cite web |title=Court Review: A fairly appealing legal drama |url=https://telugucinema.com/reviews/court-review-a-fairly-appealing-legal-drama |website=[[Telugucinema.com]] |date=13 March 2025}}</ref> Sanjay Ponnappa of ''[[India Today]]'' gave it 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "Presented by Telugu star Nani, this courtroom drama steadily captures the audience's attention before entering the court to make an emotional case, but falls short when it comes to making the case compelling and smart."<ref>{{cite news |title=Court review: A thought-provoking drama that falls short on courtroom thrills |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/court-state-vs-a-nobody-review-nani-priyadarshi-courtroom-drama-2693475-2025-03-14 |work=India Today |date=14 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Sashidhar Adivi of ''[[Times Now]]'' gave it 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "Overall, ''Court–State vs. A Nobody'' is a decent courtroom drama in Telugu cinema and will appeal to its target audience. The emotional depth, narrative style, and social message make it a one-time watch despite shortcomings."<ref>{{cite news |title=Court – State vs A Nobody Review: A Decent Courtroom Drama |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/telugu/court-state-vs-a-nobody-review-a-decent-courtroom-drama-review-118973201/ |work=Times Now |date=13 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

B. H. Harsh of ''[[Cinema Express]]'' wrote, "Debutant filmmaker Ram Jagadeesh shows a lot of promise in his debut, handling a familiar concept with impressive control and freshness".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harsh |first1=B. H. |title=Court Movie Review: A skillfully executed crowd-pleaser |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/review/2025/Mar/13/court-movie-review-a-skillfully-executed-crowd-pleaser |work=Cinema Express |date=4 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "''Court'' is not groundbreaking. But it is an absorbing drama where the most applause-worthy moments stem from thoughtful writing and sharp dialogues."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dundoo |first1=Sangeetha Devi |title='Court' movie review: Priyadarshi leads a compelling drama directed by Ram Jagadeesh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/court-telugu-movie-review-priyadarshi-ram-jagadeesh/article69329008.ece/ |work=The Hindu |date=14 March 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Balakrishna Ganeshan of ''[[The News Minute]]'' wrote, "Although director Ram Jagadeesh’s ''Court: State Vs A Nobody'' aspires to be a gripping legal drama, it leans heavily onto melodrama rather than procedural precision, ultimately weakening its impact."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ganeshan |first1=Balakrishna |title=Court review: Priyadarshi's courtroom drama is compelling but misses full potential |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/court-review-priyadarshis-courtroom-drama-is-compelling-but-misses-full-potential |work=The News Minute |date=6 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Swaroop Kodur of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter India]]'' wrote, "Some of the elements in Ram Jagadeesh’s debut film feel slightly off-base, but the film comes together because of strong performances and staging."<ref>{{cite news |title='Court - State Vs. A Nobody' Movie Review: Priyadarshi and Sivaji Anchor an Impressive Courtroom Showdown |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/court-state-vs-a-nobody-movie-review-priyadarshi-and-sivaji-anchor-an-impressive-courtroom-showdown |work=The Hollywood Reporter India |date=14 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Box office ===
''Court'' {{Ndash}} ''State vs a Nobody'' made on a budget of {{INR|4 crore}} grossed {{INR|8 crore}} on the opening day and {{INR|23 crore}} worldwide in the opening weekend.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} It concluded its theatrical run with worldwide gross estimated to be ₹57–58.15 crore.{{efn|name=courtbo}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=33307144}}

[[Category:2025 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2025 Indian films]]
[[Category:2025 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Indian legal drama films]]
[[Category:2025 films]]
[[Category:2025 drama films]]
[[Category:2020s legal drama films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Visakhapatnam]]
[[Category:Films set in Visakhapatnam]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vijai Bulganin]]
[[Category:Films set in 2013]]

Court: State vs a Nobody - Revision history

Notthetag at 23:07, 6 April 2026