An ambitious debut that won two awards at the Venice IFF, this quasi-documentary drama set in Mumbai examines the Indian justice system via an absurd trial involving a folk singer accused of inciting suicide. His performance of a protest song apparently encouraged a worker to take his own life and the prosecutor intends to convict him of anti-state activities. The defence lawyer fights with a will but each subsequent hearing exposes judicial rigidity and incompetence and police corruption. Although set in a courtroom, this is far from being a typical genre piece requiring unexpected twists and histrionic lawyers. Without taking sides, Tamhane sketches a rigorous and unforgiving portrait of society through the microcosm of the courtroom and the private lives of those connected with the trial – the affluent defence lawyer, the predatory public prosecutor, and the judge nonchalantly passing down life-changing verdicts. With its finely spun drama and modern narrative, the film nevertheless reaches beyond the borders of India, its theme of power and powerlessness subtly capturing the very essence of human nature.