Costao Movie Review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui Returns with a ’22 Carat’ Performance That Bollywood Needed!
Even hours after watching Costao, the intensity of Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s performance still lingers. It’s not just a film—it’s an experience that reminds you what genuine, heartfelt cinema looks like.
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priya Bapat, and others
Director: Sejal Shah
Platform: Zee5
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes
Watch or Skip?: A definite must-watch!
Loo Break?: You can take one, but chances are you won’t feel like it.
The Golden Metaphor
“24-carat gold is the most beautiful yet the most impractical. Too soft to hold shape unless mixed with other elements.” That line isn’t just dialogue—it defines the core of Costao and its protagonist. Costao Fernandes, an officer in the Indian Navy’s Customs division, is that untainted 24-carat gold. Honest to a fault. And the story director Sejal Shah tells is nothing less than a refined 22-carat version of that purity—balanced, polished, and cinematic.
The Plot: Truth vs. Power
Costao is a biographical drama inspired by the real-life story of a naval customs officer in Goa, who attempted to dismantle a gold smuggling nexus. But when one wrong step leads to the death of a notorious smuggler’s brother, Costao is slapped with murder charges. What unfolds is a gripping courtroom drama underscored by political manipulation and personal loss.
Script & Screenplay
What works most beautifully is the film’s refusal to indulge in fluff. There’s no exaggerated buildup—Nawazuddin enters the frame, and you’re instantly sold. The writing by Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava is tightly woven, layered with emotions, subtle commentary, and dialogues that linger long after the credits roll.
One standout moment? Costao explaining to his wife why he only says “I love you” twice a year—drawing a parallel with how he salutes the nation only on Republic and Independence Days. A scene that could’ve gone cheesy is elevated into poetry.
Performances: Nawazuddin Steals the Show
It’s been a while since Nawaz delivered something that hits home. And here, he does it with restraint, pain, and sheer brilliance. He’s not playing Costao; he is Costao. You’ll see vulnerability, guilt, fear, and a rare kind of moral strength—all without melodrama. His monologue about guilt and justice is easily one of the finest pieces of acting in recent times.
Priya Bapat as his wife adds emotional depth to the story. The supporting cast holds its ground, with special mention to the officer from Goa who defends Costao’s integrity during the trial.
Direction & Music
Sejal Shah’s direction deserves applause. She crafts a character-heavy drama that doesn’t rely on loud moments but thrives in silences, stares, and unsaid emotions. She builds Costao’s world with empathy—his conflicts, sacrifices, and moral dilemmas all feel deeply real.
The background score is minimal yet effective, and the film’s visual aesthetics complement the grounded storytelling.
Realism in Bureaucracy
One of the film’s most powerful elements is how it portrays bureaucratic India—where corruption, compromise, and quiet rebellion co-exist. One officer’s cynical line about how things work in India—“Kal main tere kaam aaya, toh aaj tu mere kaam aana padega…”—hits hard. There’s no preachiness, just the harsh truth told with clarity.
The Misses?
Yes, Costao could’ve gone deeper into the systemic rot that manipulated the narrative. The courtroom segment feels slightly rushed and lacks the edge the rest of the film carries. The broader corruption themes are touched but not explored in detail.
Yet, perhaps that’s the point. Not every honest man gets to question the system; some just get caught in it.
Final Verdict
Costao is not about grand heroism. It’s about an ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances. What makes this film stand out is that Nawazuddin doesn’t overshadow the narrative. The story remains king, and his performance only serves to elevate it.
This isn’t just another courtroom drama—it’s a tribute to the honest officers who lose more than they gain and to cinema that still dares to tell such stories with sincerity.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
One-liner Summary: Costao is pure, heartfelt cinema—anchored by a magnetic Nawazuddin Siddiqui performance and elevated by thoughtful writing and grounded direction.
