Does a lawyer’s son have to become a lawyer even if he is not interested in the profession and hates everything that comes with it? Is there anything like an honest, investigative lawyer? Can a great lawyer be even an average (single) father?
Answers to these queries are searched for in this heartwarming, entertaining and relaxed courtroom with a difference. Coming from TVF, the producers of the much-hyped Panchayat, this is no less a socially-relevant outing but makes several valid comments on heredity versus inclinations. And the Law.
Param Mathur (Ashish Verma) is the only son of the highly-reputed advocate Harish Mathur (Pawan Malhotra) and has been constantly made to think of following his father’s profession. However, he hates everything about it and yearns for his own life. But what can he do? A fake certificate and some quick cash can get him overseas for a cushy life.
But luck never favors him. Caught in a raid by the cops on the agent who deals in fake documents, he is released on bail, and a must for migration is the PCC (Police Clearance Certificate), which now looks impossible. In getting the same, he antagonizes the local cops, as his father has just humiliated them for shoddy investigation in a case he has just won!
Meanwhile, Harish has offered to fight the case of Satyavan (Bhushan Vikas), who has been deserted by his wife within months of his marriage and wants now to remarry after 14 years by divorcing her. Initially, Harish makes his protégé, Suraj (Puneet Batra) and Param present the case, but they mess it up.
His admirer, Anusha (Priyasha Bhardwaj) will now represent the wife Ratna (Kiran Khoje). A paternity issue springs up as Ratna even presents a daughter, Deepu (Sakshi Yadav).
The two parallel tracks run—Param manages a PCC and prepares for his departure. Suraj is pressurized by his friend, Jagtap (Amarjeet Singh) to branch out and end his servile relation with Harish, so that they can start a firm of their own.
Meanwhile, various angles spring up in the Satyavan-Ratna case, and the counsel also have to do their own investigations. Param finally reveals his plans to his father, who is severely distressed but supportive and offers Suraj a partnership. The compassionate judge (Nimit Kapoor) offers his significant two-bit. And then there is a twist in the tale that changes everything for Param.
A simple yet ingenious story, Court Kacheri is a very pleasant yet essentially light romp through ‘court-land’ with some fine situations, lines and above all, performances.
The not-so-old reliable Pawan Malhotra essays Harish with his usual extraordinary felicity and his expressions are like a school of acting. Ashish Verma, hitherto largely cast in supporting roles, makes for a believable and ardent Param, who is intensely frustrated. Puneet Batra is superb as Suraj. In his brief appearance, Amarjeet Singh is a quirky Jagtap.
Sumali Khaniwale as Kagzath plays an interesting side character who spouts verse. Kiran Khoje impresses as Ratna, and so do Chandan Anand as the sub-inspector, Brij Bhushan Shukla as Ramchandra Bhati and Anandeshwar Dwivedi as advocate Vikas Chowdhary. Nimit Kapoor as the judge is brilliant and stands out.
Director Ruchir Arun deserves accolades and so does the scriptwriting team. This show not only engages us but also has takeaways on human nature and the legal profession. As Param says, men in white coats (doctors) and black (lawyers) may not be entirely reliable, but are both essential for humanity.
Rating: ***1/2
Sony LIV presents TVF’s Court Kacheri Created & produced by: Arunabh Kumar Directed by: Ruchir Arun Written by: Puneet Batra, Anurag Jha, Akshay Anand Kohli, Arunabh Kumar & Anurag Ramesh Shukla Music: Anshul Thakkar Starring: Pawan Malhotra, Ashish Verma, Puneet Batra, Sumali Khaniwale, Kiran Khoje, Chandan Anand, Brij Bhushan Shukla, Anandeshwar Dwivedi, Nimit Kapoor, Priyasha Bhardwaj, Sakshi Yadav, Nimit Kapoor, Amarjeet Singh, Bhushan Vikas & others
