Naga Chaitanya collaborates with Kollywood director Venkat Prabhu for the much-anticipated action film, Custody. With its strong promotional content, this Telugu-Tamil bilingual has garnered significant anticipation. Starring Krithi Shetty as the female lead, Custody hits theaters today, promising an engaging experience.
Plot:
Constable Shiva (played by Naga Chaitanya), a small-town resident, deeply loves Revathi (portrayed by Krithi Shetty). However, their romance faces opposition from Revathi’s parents. When Shiva accidentally arrests gangster Raju (Arvind Swami) and CBI officer George (Sampath), he discovers that Raju must be presented in a Bengaluru court. Despite facing resistance from powerful forces, including CM Dakshyani (Priyamani), Shiva resolves to deliver Raju to justice, with Revathi by his side. The film explores Shiva’s journey, his struggles, and his fight for truth.
Highlights:
Naga Chaitanya excels in portraying an underdog character, exhibiting dedication and sincerity in his performance. His efforts in action sequences and the police station brawl are commendable, anchoring the film with his earnest portrayal. Arvind Swami’s portrayal of Raju adds depth, with engaging interactions among the lead cast. Krithi Shetty delivers a convincing performance as expected, while Goparaju Ramana and Vennela Kishore inject humor and entertainment.
Drawbacks:
While the film’s premise held promise, the execution falters in the second half. Venkat Prabhu struggles to sustain momentum, resulting in a lackluster latter portion. Despite Venkat Prabhu’s reputation for intriguing storytelling, Custody fails to captivate consistently. Weak character development, especially of Priyamani’s role, and lackluster action sequences contribute to the film’s shortcomings. Additionally, the soundtrack and VFX fall short of expectations.
Technical Aspects:
Despite contributions from acclaimed composers Ilaiyaraaja and Yuvan Shankar Raja, the music fails to make an impact, while the cinematography by SR Kathir is adequate. Editing could have been tighter to alleviate pacing issues, particularly in the second half. Venkat Prabhu’s direction falls short, lacking the edge-of-the-seat moments promised, and failing to leverage the potential of the storyline.
Verdict:
Custody offers intermittent engagement but ultimately falls short of expectations. While performances by Naga Chaitanya and Arvind Swami shine, deficiencies in direction and storytelling hinder the film’s overall impact. Fans of the cast or director should temper their expectations before viewing.