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From Mulk to Aitraaz, here are some of the best courtroom dramas to watch online.
Courtroom dramas are truly captivating. They exude intense emotions, feature gripping storylines, and often draw inspiration from real-life incidents. Bollywood has churned out a bunch of courtroom drama movies over the year. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best movies in this genre. The list includes Manoj Bajpayee's latest film "Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai," the Arshad Warsi-starrer "Jolly LLB," "Mulk," and more that are streaming on the platforms such as Disney Plus Hotstar, ZEE5, and Amazon Prime Video.
| Movies | Streaming platform |
| Section 375 | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jolly LLB | Disney Plus Hotstar |
| Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai | ZEE5 |
| Mulk | ZEE5 |
| OMG: Oh My God! | JioCinema |
| Shahid | Amazon Prime Video |
| Pink | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jai Bhim | Amazon Prime Video |
| Shaurya | ZEE5 |
| Aitraz | ZEE5 |
Section 375 is a Hindi courtroom drama that explores the sensitive subject of rape and the unfortunate legal complexities that compose its current status in the Indian courtroom system. It revolves around a renowned defence lawyer and a determined public prosecutor, as the format takes on the case of a young woman who accuses a popular film director of raping her during a movie shoot. As the court proceedings unfold, the film shows how lawyers use witnesses and characters to develop a story. It also deeply explores the theme of consent, shedding light on the grey areas of the concept. The film also reflects on media sensationalism and power dynamics in high-profile cases like these.
All in all, the aim of Section 375 is to create a discussion around the technicalities of sexual assault and the ethical challenges faced by courts when analysing such cases with media hype built around them.
Jolly LLB is a Hindi courtroom comedy-drama film that stars Arshad Warsi as Jagdish Tyagi, a struggling lawyer, also known as Jolly, who takes on a high-profile case that transforms his career and his personal life. It shows how Jolly, an aspiring and largely incompetent lawyer dreams of becoming a successful advocate but often finds himself struggling to find cases to take. He gets the opportunity of his lifetime to prove his worth when he takes up a case against a powerful and corrupt lawyer.
The rest of the film revolves around Jolly giving it everything to fight this David vs Goliath case, as he faces threats, bribery attempts, and witness manipulation while fighting against the rich and powerful. The film leaves no stone unturned when talking about the disparity between the rich and the poor and the struggle for justice in a corrupt society.
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is a Hindi courtroom and action drama film that is inspired by true events. It revolves around a dedicated lawyer's relentless pursuit of justice for a group of girls who have been victimised by a self-proclaimed godman. The film revolves around the protagonist, a righteous advocate, as he takes on the case and fights against all odds to ensure that the victims find justice.
The movie portrays the hardships and obstacles faced by the victims and their legal representatives in their quest for justice. It highlights the resilience and courage required to take on powerful individuals and institutions, shedding light on the importance of standing up for what is right, without worrying about the long-term consequences.
Mulk is known for the power-packed performances given by the lead and supporting cast. It revolves around the life of the Muslim family of an advocate in a small, backward town in Uttar Pradesh. The family is well-respected and leads a peaceful existence until their lives are disrupted when one of the advocate's nephews gets involved in a terrorist attack. Shahid's actions tarnish the reputation of the entire family, as society attempts to exclude them from the community.
Interestingly, the advocate's daughter-in-law, a Hindu, takes on the responsibility of defending her family in court against the grave accusations. The film explores Indian society's prejudices and Islamophobia that are present in a latent manner. It also shows the struggles and resilience of the Muslim family as they deal with rejection from a society they once called theirs.
OMG: Oh My God! stars Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal in lead roles and is one of the first mainstream films to address the themes of religion, blind faith, and spirituality in such a manner. It revolves around an atheist and a small-time businessman who owns an antique shop. When his shop gets destroyed in an earthquake, he tries to file an insurance claim, only to discover that it has been rejected on the grounds that it is an "act of God". Feeling betrayed and enraged, Kanji decides to file a lawsuit against God and religious organisations/ temples, demanding accountability and compensation caused by the earthquake.
The entire court case involves the businessman gunning for a more rational understanding of spirituality, with a focus on empathy over superstition. The use of humour and satire in this film brilliantly explores the concept while not delving into insults or rhetoric of any kind.
Shahid is a Hansal Mehta courtroom drama film based on the real-life story of lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi. It portrays his life from his childhood in a poverty-stricken locality to his transformation into a dedicated and respected lawyer. Shahid faces discrimination throughout his childhood and pursues a law degree to finally get good old justice for himself and others stuck in the same situation.
In this film, Shahid takes up cases involving people accused of terrorism, as the plot shows how the lawyer is faced with societal pressure, which takes a toll on Shahid's relationships and mental well-being.
Pink revolves around three working women who are part of a legal battle after a fight with a group of influential and politically connected men. The incident leads to false accusations of prostitution and an attempt to damage the reputation of the women, in order to prove a point. However, advocate Deepak Sehgal, a retired lawyer with bipolar disorder, takes up their case to fight for their rights and prove their innocence.
The film is largely based on courtroom events, as it highlights the issue of consent and victim-blaming in a society that judges the female gender with scrutiny. It challenges the stereotypes and double standards prevalent in society. Amitabh Bachchan is the highlight of the film with his powerful portrayal of Advocate Deepak Sehgal. Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, and Andrea Tariang also deliver compelling performances.
Jai Bhim is a wonderful legal drama film that revolves around Rajakannu and Sengeni, a couple from the Irula tribe, who work under upper-caste men to control rat infestations and catch venomous snakes. When Rajakannu is accused of theft, the police detain Sengeni and torture Rajakannu's family. A righteous lawyer takes up their case and aims to uncover the truth while fighting with the politically influential men of society. This is a proper David vs Goliath where the plot aims to show how truth always prevails, no matter how influential the lies really are.
Shaurya revolves around an army officer and an army lawyer, as it shows the story of a court-martial trial involving the death of a fellow officer, who was accused of disobeying orders and abandonment during a military operation. The film delves into the courtroom proceedings, examining the conflicting perspectives, ethical conflicts, and personal sacrifices that emerge during the trial.
The film touches upon taboo topics of crimes in the military and also reflects on social issues such as corruption, prejudice, and the misuse of power within the establishment. The film prompts viewers to reflect on the sacrifices made by soldiers and the responsibility of those entrusted with upholding the principles of justice and integrity.
Aitraaz is a Hindi courtroom thriller film that revolves around a successful advertising executive and his wife, as their lives take a dramatic turn when Raj's ex-girlfriend and now a powerful businesswoman, accuses him of sexual harassment. The film delves into the legal battle that follows, as Raj fights to prove his innocence and protect his reputation.
This is a movie ahead of its time as it examines then-taboo topics of consent, manipulation, and the misuse of power among genders. In fact, it has a superb, suspenseful narrative, engaging performances, and catchy music. Priyanka Chopra's portrayal of the bold and assertive character of her ex-girlfriend made her go mainstream back in the early 2000s.