Custody OTT release: Everything you need to know about this Naga Chaitanya's cop drama

Actor Naga Chaitanya had big expectations from his previous movie Custody. The Tamil-Telugu bilingual was his ticket to get out of the box office slump he has been experiencing with his recent movies. Given that director Venkat Prabhu was making this movie right after delivering one of the biggest hits in Tamil, Maanaadu, many believed this movie was the boost that Chaitanya's career needed at the moment. 

However, the film pundits were wrong. Custody opened in cinemas in May to poor reviews both in Tamil Nadu and the Telugu states. And the film ended up being one of the biggest commercial failures in the careers of Chaitanya and Venkat. 

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Custody sets out to tell the story of Constable Shiva (Naga Chaitanya), a valiant police officer determined to protect a high-profile criminal and ensure his safe delivery to a CBI court. The movie attempts to touch upon several themes that could have added depth and complexity to the plot. One such theme is the exploration of corruption within the police force and the political system. The movie hints at the manipulative nature of power and how it can influence the actions of those in authority. However, these themes remain underdeveloped and fail to leave a lasting impact on the overall narrative.

Shiva's unwavering determination to protect the life of Raazu, played by Arvind Swamy, adds an emotional layer to the film. The unlikely alliance between a police officer and a criminal creates an opportunity to explore themes of redemption and second chances. However, the film falls short of fully exploring these themes, opting for a more surface-level approach that doesn't delve into the complexities of the character's motivations.

One of the missed opportunities in Custody lies in the potential examination of the impact of the justice system on ordinary people. Shiva's commitment to upholding what is right, despite the obstacles he faces within the system, could have provided a powerful commentary on the flaws and limitations of the legal system. Unfortunately, this aspect remains largely unexplored. 

Custody also stars Krithi Shetty, Priyamani, R. Sarathkumar and Sampath Raj in key roles. The movie is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.