Costao

Costao (2025) : Movie Review -

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who had been seemingly adrift with some of his recent choices, appears to have found more solid footing with Costao. The film unfolds as an engaging drama in its first hour, only to taper off into a more sluggish, if sincere, chronicle of a man's fight against crime and injustice. Given that it's a biopic, the screenplay stays loyal to real events, which limits creative liberty. However, the narrative could have benefitted from a tighter pace and a few more dramatic beats in the latter half. That said, Costao remains a heartfelt tribute to a committed individual, and deserves to be watched for its subject's resilience and patriotism, if not for cinematic finesse.

Costao Fernandes (played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is an upright customs officer based in Goa, leading a quiet life with his family. A staunch opponent of smuggling and crime, he also once excelled in sports during his student years. His mission is to bring down D'Mello (Kishore Kumar), a major smuggler operating off the Goan coast. During a tense raid, D'Mello's brother is accidentally killed by Costao in an act of self-defense. This sparks a personal vendetta, with D'Mello retaliating by terrorizing Costao and his loved ones. As a result, Costao is forced to relocate and separate from his family for their protection while he wages a legal battle that takes him from the High Court to the Supreme Court. Will he be able to win this battle?

The film often evokes shades of Nawazuddin's performance in Raees (2016), although with less intensity. The narrative is framed through the eyes of Costao's daughter, which initially offers a fresh perspective but gradually loses impact. The first half features gripping cat-and-mouse sequences between Costao and D'Mello, as well as a few moments that spotlight Costao's integrity and patriotism. Dialogues such as "18% ka GST bhar nahi paate tum log aur Goa ke sapne" and "My honesty is unaffordable" encapsulate the fire in Costao's character. Unfortunately, this fire dims in the second half, which sees him subjected to violence and humiliation without significant response, rendering parts of the narrative flat and uninspired. The film's latter section lacks the tension and urgency that its opening promised.

In terms of performances, Nawazuddin Siddiqui finally appears more invested, a welcome change after some underwhelming recent outings. While the role may not fully match his capabilities, it marks a step up from his previous projects. Priya Bapat, despite being a Marathi woman, handles the Christian accent reasonably well. Kishore Kumar, although inconsistent with the accent, fares better in terms of screen presence and intensity. Supporting actors such as Mahika Sharma, Hussain Dalal, Gagan Dev Riar, Ravi Shankar Jaiswal, and Arjun Kumar deliver adequate performances, adding depth to the ensemble without stealing focus.

On the technical front, Costao seems constrained by budgetary limitations. The production lacks visual richness, and the cinematography offers little beyond the appeal of naturally scenic locations. Songs appear sporadically and often feel like an interruption, with little to add in terms of narrative or emotional weight. While a few mass-appeal dialogues provide unexpected entertainment, they stand out more as isolated highlights rather than a consistent strength. Director Sejal Shah-making a transition from cinematographer to filmmaker-invests genuine effort into the film. However, the script and its somewhat uninspired conflicts hold back the impact. A similar trajectory was once seen with Laxman Utekar, who later found his rhythm as a director, and perhaps Shah will too. Costao is an honest film about an exceptionally honest officer. While its appeal may be limited among mainstream audiences, it's likely to resonate more with viewers who value sincerity and social integrity (which are low in numbers today) over cinematic spectacle.

RATING - 5/10*

"I just finished watching 'Costao' on Zee5, and I must say, it's a truly remarkable film! Nawazuddin Siddiqui's portrayal of Costao Fernandes is nothing short of phenomenal - he brings such depth and nuance to the character. Priya Bapat's performance as Maria is equally impressive, adding a touch of warmth and realism to the story.

The film's based on a true story, and it's clear that the team has poured their hearts into bringing this inspiring tale to life. The way the movie tackles themes of honesty, integrity, and standing up against corruption is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.

Kudos to the entire team, including the director, Sejal Shah, for crafting a film that's both entertaining and enlightening. I'd love to see more projects like this in the future!

Thank you for sharing this incredible story with us!"

Costa is a stunning debut-assured, authentic and deeply moving. The director crafts every frame with precision, blending breathtaking visuals with honest storytelling.. Scenes switch effortlessly between operatic and real. Nawaz delivers a magnetic performance, slipping into his role with depth. A character that's flawed played flawlessly by the actor. Priya Bapat shines as the wife with angst. The villain is both menacing and a man in mourning. The smaller characters shine in their scenes. The cinematography speaks volumes. The writing lingers, real and resonant, long after the credits roll. A powerful first feature.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivers one of his finest performances, portraying Fernandes with quiet strength, dignity, and vulnerability.

The film is not flashy, but that's its strength. It stays grounded in reality, slowly revealing the emotional and political weight of Fernandes' fight for justice. The direction is tight, the writing is respectful, and the pacing keeps you invested.

What moved me most was how the film sheds light on a real-life hero who was silenced and forgotten. This is the kind of story we need more of-where integrity isn't just a word, but a lonely, painful path walked by those who refuse to bow down.

Highly recommended. Watch it not just for entertainment, but to honor a man who deserved far more recognition.

There are some biopics which turn out good either because the character is developed well or because the actor playing the character has done a marvelous job. In this case it is a bit of both resulting in a fairly watchable movie.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui carries the film from start to finish as he displays various shades of the complex character particularly where he has arguments with his boss and his wife. He is a truly natural actor and gets fully into the character he plays. His acting makes the character true to life rather than larger than life as it often happens in Hindi movies.

Director Sejal Shah has kept the pace of the narrative absorbing enough with the required amount of restraint and realism. There are a few unconvincing points though like Castao pulling through almost unscathed even though grievously injured and the antagonist not planning to have him eliminated which would have looked natural. ( Maybe it is a true to life depiction.). Nawazuddin's scene at the cemetery near the end is truly a fine piece of acting. Supporting him as the wife is Priya Bapat who has done an impressive job.