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In Custody

Play trailer Poster for In Custody PG 1994 2h 6m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Family man and professor Deven (Om Puri) lands his dream writing gig: He is to interview the legendary, aging poet Nur (Shashi Kapoor). But the task proves to be anything but pleasurable, as Nur is a bloated alcoholic who continually frustrates his two wives, Imtiaz (Shabana Azmi) and Safiya (Sushma Seth). Deven is disappointed but doesn't give up, returning time after time so he can capture whatever essence remains of the poet. But in his devotion to Nur, Deven begins to neglect his own family.
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In Custody

Critics Reviews

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Sheila Johnston Independent (UK) 11/13/2017
It feels like a slender short story spun out close to breaking point. An honourable debut, though. Go to Full Review Quentin Curtis Independent on Sunday 12/07/2017
Ismail Merchant's directing debut, In Custody, is a lively, sharply-observed adaptation of Anita Desai's novel. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 07/06/2005
3/5
James Berardinelli ReelViews 01/01/2000
2/4
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 01/01/2000
C
I guess to really enjoy this film you would have to speak the language of Urdu to understand its poetical nuances... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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04/28/2012 Sublime. Poignant. Engaging... A hidden gem! See more 09/28/2011 not too bad comedy/drama from merchant/ivory. See more 10/11/2010 Well told tale of the one mans struggle against society to preserve its own history. There's some good quirky characters too. See more 09/25/2010 This is a homage to Urdu poetry, Indian multiculturalism and to the forgotten people and forgotten times. Why is there a trend to pay respects to poets (and other artists) only after their death? See more 07/23/2009 A very interesting, engaging and a silently funny film. All the actors at their peak here. One advice: the urdu spoken in the film is quite hardcore, so having English subtitles would be a great help. See more 06/27/2008 as with most adaptations, the book is even better See more Read all reviews
In Custody

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Cast & Crew

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Ismail Merchant

Director

Shashi Kapoor

Nur

Shabana Azmi

Imtiaz Begum

Om Puri

Deven

Sushma Seth

Safiya Begum

Neena Gupta

Sarla

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In Custody

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Movie Info

Synopsis Family man and professor Deven (Om Puri) lands his dream writing gig: He is to interview the legendary, aging poet Nur (Shashi Kapoor). But the task proves to be anything but pleasurable, as Nur is a bloated alcoholic who continually frustrates his two wives, Imtiaz (Shabana Azmi) and Safiya (Sushma Seth). Deven is disappointed but doesn't give up, returning time after time so he can capture whatever essence remains of the poet. But in his devotion to Nur, Deven begins to neglect his own family.
Director
Ismail Merchant
Producer
Wahid Chowhan
Screenwriter
Shahrukh Husain
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Channel Four Films, Merchant Ivory Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Urdu
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 8, 1994, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 10, 2005
Runtime
2h 6m
Sound Mix
Dolby
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