Custody

Custody

Year: 2023

Runtime: 150 mins

Language: Telugu

Director: Venkat Prabhu

Echo Score: 43
ThrillerAction

A Venkat Prabhu Hunt Siva, a police officer, has to escort a witness to the court. He learns that all the police service wants to kill the witness. An escape begins.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Custody yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Custody (2023)

Trace every key event in Custody (2023) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Shiva and Revathi decide to elope and marry

In 1998, A. Shiva, a cheerful police constable, and his girlfriend Revathi decide to elope and marry. Their personal plan sets a contrasting backdrop to the dangerous events that unfold as Shiva becomes entangled in a high-stakes case. The decision foreshadows the personal costs of his professional duties.

1998
2

Shiva arrests Raju in a road rage case

Shiva arrests Rajasekhar, alias Raju, a dreaded gangster who does dirty jobs for CM Dakshayani. The arrest marks the beginning of a larger conflict that ties crime to politics and immunity. Raju’s notoriety hints at the danger that follows him.

3

George reveals the 48-hour Bangalore court deadline

George, a CBI officer imprisoned in the case, informs Shiva that he must present Raju in a Bangalore court within 48 hours because Raju has crucial information about Dakshayani's involvement in the Morampudi bomb blast. Shiva relays the urgency to Varghese, outlining the path ahead. The clock begins ticking on a perilous cross-state pursuit.

4

Dakshayani orders a hit on Raju

Dakshayani learns of Raju's arrest and secretly assigns goons and IG Nataraj to kill him. The order to eliminate Raju raises the stakes for everyone involved and signals an all-out effort to bury the case.

5

Nataraj's attackers are subdued by Shiva

Nataraj and his goons launch an assassination attempt on Raju and George, but Shiva intervenes, subdues the attackers, and escapes with them. The confrontation escalates the chase as the group moves toward Bangalore.

6

The group heads toward Bangalore

Shiva, Raju, George, and Revathi set out for Bangalore with the plan to present Raju in court within the 48-hour window. The journey shifts from direct danger to strategic courtroom maneuvering.

On the way to Bangalore
7

Nataraj pursues; the car crashes into a lake near a dam

Nataraj tracks the group and forces their car into a lake near a dam. The survivors scramble to stay ahead of pursuit as the surrounding danger tightens around them.

Lake near a dam
8

In the dam's tunnel, George is killed

Seeking refuge, the quartet hides in the dam's underground tunnel, where Nataraj attacks and George is killed in the crossfire. Shiva, Raju, and Revathi escape and move toward medical aid while Nataraj's men close in.

Dam's underground tunnel
9

Raju is treated; Philips helps escape; Raju reaches a fair

The group reaches Maj. Gen. Philips Satya Raj, and Raju receives treatment and begins to recover under guard. Philips later assists their escape, and Raju manages to reach a fair to elude pursuers.

10

Shiva locates Raju at the fair

Shiva tracks down Raju at the fair, re-igniting the cat-and-mouse pursuit. The chase resumes as both sides search for an advantage in a changing landscape of loyalties and danger.

Fair
11

Shiva's father sacrifices himself; escape continues

Nataraj arrives and pressures Shiva to kill Raju in exchange for his father's life. Shiva's father shoots himself, urging his son to seek justice for Vishnu's death, and the trio escapes once again with Revathi.

12

Ravi attacks at the railway station; train to Bangalore

At the railway station, Ravi—Dakshayani's bribed ally—attacks the trio. Raju kills Ravi, and the group boards a train toward Bangalore with Nataraj's men in pursuit.

Railway station
13

On the train: Raju dies; Nataraj kills him

During the journey, Raju sacrifices to save Shiva by separating from the compartment, but Nataraj shoots and kills him, leaving Shiva devastated. The loss intensifies the forthcoming courtroom confrontation.

Train
14

Court reveals Raju's confession; arrests follow

The next day in Bangalore court, Shiva presents Raju's recorded confession about Dakshayani's role in the Morampudi blasts and the cover-up of an IAS officer's murder. Dakshayani, Nataraj, and the others are arrested as official charges are laid out.

Next day Court in Bangalore
15

Ending: Varghese offers CBI; Shiva declines; marriage plans

Varghese thanks Shiva and offers him a position in the CBI, but Shiva declines, choosing to continue serving as a police officer. The film ends with Shiva and Revathi planning their marriage.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:09

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Custody Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Custody

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