Court
Director: Chaitanya Tamhane
Starring: Vira Sathidar, Vivek Gomber, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Pradeep Joshi, Usha Bane
Rating: 4.5/5
The best moment in Chaitanya Tamhane’s Court comes during the denouement. Judge Sadavarte (Joshi) is sleeping on a bench one afternoon during a vacation to a beach resort with the extended Sadavarte clan. His nephews and nieces, for want of better entertainment, decide to creep up to him and scream. They run away as he angrily wakes up, but one boy—mute, probably autistic—is too slow and gets slapped. It’s a splendid metaphor for the broken justice system Sadavarte represents throughout the movie, one that allows a vindictive state to trap its dissidents in bureaucratic hells.
Consider the case of State v. Narayan Kamble, over which Sadavarte presides. A 65-year-old minstrel who performs radical folk songs among the poor, Kamble (Sathidar) is arrested under Section 306 of the IPC—abetment of suicide. It seems he sang a song exhorting sewerage workers to commit suicide to protest the caste system, and one of them did just that. Despite there being little evidence that the death was suicide and not an accident, or that Kamble had even written, let alone performed, such a song, he is denied bail and forced to remain behind bars, his health deteriorating as the case trudges forward, tareeq by tareeq, over the better part of a year. The prosecution’s case is wafer-thin, but the proceedings seem to operate under a presumption of guilt. For his part, Kamble denies ever composing such a song, but doesn’t rule out the possibility of him writing one in the future, which seems to count against him.
The film moves at a langurous pace, mirroring that of the judiciary. In most films featuring a trial, it seems as if the case in question is the centre of the universe; here, Kamble’s trial is intentionally shown to be what it really is—one of the over three crore cases pending before the Indian judiciary, being heard one at a time, for minutes at a time—with courtroom scenes extending before and after the hearings of Kamble. This allows for satire, such as a Goan petitioner being denied a hearing because she’s wearing a bright, sleeveless top, but it also makes the audience think about how easy it would be to slip through the cracks of such a system, about the implicit horrors in being falsely accused of a crime in the world’s largest democracy. Eighty percent of India’s prison population, after all, consists of undertrials. Tamhane doesn’t have to unnecessarily sentimentalise Kamble’s story, finds no need to drag in a frantic wife or desperate children: the state’s lack of concern for whatever effects this long, unnecessary incarceration might have on Kamble is driven home through the sheer absurdity of the very realistic proceedings.
Using long uncut scenes recorded with a fixed camera, it makes for compelling cinema. Realistically depicting the lower judiciary rather than perpetuating the fiction of the responsible, responsive andhaa kaanoon is a narrative strategy that Bollywood has been coming around to in recent years—Shahid and Jolly LLB, both honoured at the National Film Awards, come to mind. The first, Hansal Mehta’s biopic on human rights lawyer Shahid Azmi, demonstrated the Kafkaesque farces terror trials are in this country, the leaps of logic and outright fictions prosecutors feed obliging judges, and the delaying tactics they employ if those fail. Given Ujjwal Nikam’s shameful lies about Ajmal Kasab’s demands for chicken biriyani, or the flimsy evidence used to hang Afzal Guru, the pettiness portrayed in Shahid feels almost tame by comparison. Similarly, when the prosecutor in Court absurdly uses the definition of “unlawful activities” to brand Kamble a terrorist—so what if he doesn’t use bombs or dynamite, the definition leaves open “any other means”—you know this isn’t simply the film’s dark humour at work, that such proceedings probably happen in courtrooms every day.
The “probably” is important, though. Most of us, couched in privilege, will never see the inside of a courtroom, let alone suffer Kamble’s fate of the agonisingly endless wait for justice. We’re not the ones who will be rounded up by the police every time a crime is committed and a scapegoat must be found. We won’t be the ones falsely accused of being Maoists or terrorists, beaten or raped until we agree. Even if we do commit a crime, we will possess the resources to buy the best legal aid, who’ll probably even manage to keep us out of jail until we’ve been given a fair trial. We wouldn’t have to choose between having our day in court and earning our daily bread.
Court‘s triumph lies not just in pointing fingers at the justice system, but in its biting social commentary on caste and class privilege. It does this by following the two lawyers fighting the case out of the courtroom and into their living rooms. The prosecutor, played by Geetanjali Kulkarni, is a working woman, who has to take the local train both ways, keep up with her casework while cooking and cleaning for a family of four. To her, Narayan Kamble is just another criminal to put away, one more jholawala agitator threatening the unity and integrity of this glorious country. She’s concerned more about inflation and her family’s health rather than any miscarriage of justice she might be perpetrating; she just hopes the case would end and she wouldn’t have to look at the same boring faces again.
Vinay Vora, the defense lawyer played by Vivek Gomber—also the film’s producer—isn’t prone to the histrionics of the crusading lawyers of cinema and television. He doesn’t rant about the procedural delays, doesn’t pick fights with the arresting officer, meekly accepts every new court date that is handed to him. (All he asks is that the proceedings take place in either Hindi or English, so that he can understand too, but even Kamble himself is more comfortable in Marathi.) He likely knows that playing to the galleries won’t help his cause, has probably seen firsthand the consequences of alienating the judge in a fit of moral self-righteousness. But it’s also because personally, he has little at stake in the trial’s outcome. A member of our globalised elite, shopping in supermarkets for wine and cheese, hanging out in bars listening to women sing songs they picked up while holidaying in Brazil, Vora can afford to tilt at windmills, to wait for justice to take its own time. Kamble isn’t just a statistic to him, but it’s not as if he’s losing any sleep over his fate. He can look at life-and-death matters with the passion, as well as the detachment, of the professional hobbyist.
As for Kamble, prison doesn’t change him, doesn’t douse his revolutionary spirit. He emerges defiant as ever, writing books and performing songs and waiting for the police to arrest him again and restart this familiar farce. It’s what he signed up for when he decided to devote his life to political dissent, to stand up for the poorest of the poor against the might of the state. All he asks is that you stop calling him an artist. After all, he sings, the wailing of a dying man is not art.
Portia Heindl
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
lgopro99
I am no longer certain where you are getting your info, but great topic. I must spend some time studying more or figuring out more. Thanks for excellent information I was in search of this info for my mission.
lgopro99
I used to be suggested this blog via my cousin. I’m now not positive whether this publish is written by him as nobody else recognise such detailed approximately my trouble. You are wonderful! Thank you!
slot gacor
Dead composed content material, Really enjoyed examining.
situs slot
Good web site! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
lgopro99
You have noted very interesting points! ps decent website.
situs slot
Thanks for another informative website. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such info.
av petit thouars 1775, lince
I am glad to be one of several visitants on this outstanding site (:, thankyou for putting up.
CBD Cream
You can definitely see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
olxtoto
I must express my thanks to this writer for bailing me out of this particular dilemma. Because of looking through the world-wide-web and obtaining ideas which are not pleasant, I was thinking my entire life was well over. Existing devoid of the solutions to the issues you’ve sorted out all through your main report is a critical case, as well as those that might have in a negative way damaged my entire career if I had not encountered the blog. Your main talents and kindness in dealing with the whole thing was useful. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t encountered such a solution like this. I am able to now look ahead to my future. Thanks for your time very much for the professional and sensible guide. I will not think twice to recommend your web blog to any individual who ought to have recommendations on this subject matter.
olxtoto
Pretty element of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to claim that I get in fact loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing on your augment or even I achievement you get admission to persistently rapidly.
impresora termica portatil
Howdy this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!
link slot gacor
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your wonderful writing because of this problem.
Abogados de Lesiones Personales
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
ayuda PFC arquitectura
I’m impressed, I must say. Really not often do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you could have hit the nail on the head. Your thought is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not sufficient persons are talking intelligently about. I am very glad that I stumbled across this in my seek for something regarding this.
treinamento funcional
I got what you intend,saved to bookmarks, very decent internet site.
create and launch online courses
Hello there, I found your web site via Google while searching for a related topic, your web site came up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
situs slot gacor
Thank you for sharing with us, I believe this website truly stands out :D.
Condomínio fechado — portaria 24h — lotes
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
toto 4d
I have recently started a blog, the information you offer on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
situs toto
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the structure of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
situs toto
so much good info on here, :D.
lombok bali ferry
Wonderful blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any suggestions? Bless you!
가라오케광고
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I’m hoping the same high-grade website post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a great example of it.
카드결제 단말기 신청 방법
I’m no longer sure the place you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend a while studying much more or working out more. Thank you for wonderful info I used to be searching for this information for my mission.
노래방광고
I am glad to be one of the visitants on this great internet site (:, appreciate it for posting.
RPVIP5
I like your writing style truly loving this site.
toto togel
Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and net and this is actually frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
Quark Play
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!
Horse Gelatin Trick
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
horse gelatin trick recipe men
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m inspired! Very helpful information specially the last section :) I maintain such information much. I used to be looking for this certain information for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.
contratar agência de marketing
I’ve recently started a website, the info you offer on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
klebefolie für möbel
I am impressed with this web site, real I am a fan.
Ar condicionado Carrier Fortaleza
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
hgo909 login
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
hptoto
I dugg some of you post as I cerebrated they were very beneficial invaluable
hptoto slot
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100 certain. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it
situs toto
Some really select blog posts on this internet site, saved to my bookmarks.
togel online
With every thing which seems to be developing inside this specific subject matter, a significant percentage of viewpoints happen to be fairly refreshing. Nonetheless, I beg your pardon, because I do not subscribe to your whole suggestion, all be it stimulating none the less. It appears to us that your comments are not entirely rationalized and in reality you are generally your self not wholly confident of your argument. In any case I did take pleasure in examining it.
hptoto
Just wanna comment on few general things, The website design and style is perfect, the written content is real superb : D.
madetoto
Regards for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
Recarga UniTV Mensal
I relish, result in I found just what I used to be looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
olxtoto link
you’re really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a magnificent job on this topic!
olxtoto login
Thanks for some other informative site. The place else could I get that type of info written in such an ideal approach? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.
song lyrics
Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
código nexo cine trimestral
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
corretor de imoveis campos dos goytacazes
You are my inspiration , I possess few web logs and very sporadically run out from to brand.
nexatv comprar
Wow, marvelous blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, as well as the content!
slot online
Regards for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
rugged smartphone
Woh I like your content, saved to bookmarks! .
เรียนภาษาอังกฤษออนไลน์ ตัวต่อตัว ราคาไม่แพง
Would love to perpetually get updated great web blog! .
pool technik set
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
Ethical hacking tools
Hey there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
baccarat
Deference to website author, some great selective information.
ethical hacking best practices
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
entrega de complementos Santo André
Regards for this post, I am a big fan of this internet site would like to continue updated.
raz vape flavors
Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it.
유흥알바 구직 정보
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some great points, I likewise conceive this s a very wonderful website.
situs toto
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, great site!
toto macau
I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
best team chat apps
I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again
situs toto 4d
Hello, you used to write excellent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
hinototo
Regards for helping out, excellent information.
INFOHUB Digital
Hey very nice web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful information here in the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .