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In Custody

Play trailer Poster for In Custody PG,  1994,  2h 6m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 67% 6 Reviews Tomatometer 62% 50+ Ratings Popcornmeter
67% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Family man and professor Deven lands his dream writing gig: He is to interview the legendary, aging poet Nur. But the task proves to be anything but pleasurable, as Nur is a bloated alcoholic who continually frustrates his two wives, Imtiaz and Safiya. 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.

Critics Reviews

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Sheila Johnston Independent (UK) Nov 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 Dec 7, 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 Jul 6, 2005
3/5
James Berardinelli ReelViews Jan 1, 2000
2/4
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Jan 1, 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
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In Custody

My Rating

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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 lands his dream writing gig: He is to interview the legendary, aging poet Nur. But the task proves to be anything but pleasurable, as Nur is a bloated alcoholic who continually frustrates his two wives, Imtiaz and Safiya. 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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