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ZEE5 Global drops a riveting trailer of Costao — A tale of grit and justice

ZEE5 Global drops a riveting trailer of Costao — A tale of grit and justice

Web Release22-04-2025

ZEE5 Global, the world's largest streaming platform for South Asian content, unveils the trailer of the much-awaited and anticipated film – 'COSTAO'. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1990s Goa, Costao tells the gripping story of a fearless customs officer who dared to defy an empire built on smuggling, corruption, and fear.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivers a powerhouse performance as Costao Fernandes — a sharp, unconventional enforcer whose bold tactics and unrelenting pursuit for justice puts him at odds with both the criminal underworld and the very system he serves. Directed by debutant Sejal Shah, the movie also stars – Priya Bapat, Kishore Kumar G, Gagan Dev Riar & Hussain Dalal. Premiering on May 1, Costao is a story about courage, sacrifice, and the brutal price of standing against the face of a corrupt empire.
Trailer Link: https://youtu.be/rc8pReu9fjU
Set in a world steeped in corruption and ruled by crime, as revealed in the trailer, the film follows Costao—a man whose daring methods and unshakable courage make him both a hero and thorn in the side of the system. When a deadly clash with the brother of a notorious smuggler sparks a high-stakes manhunt, Costao is thrust into a relentless battle for survival. Hunted, betrayed, and on his own, he refuses to give in. He fights—not just for justice, but for his family and his own redemption. With heart-pounding action, powerful emotional turns, and a protagonist as unpredictable as he is unforgettable, Costao delivers a wild, gripping ride. As everything begins to unravel, one question remains: with a lot of personal sacrifice, audacious courage but sharp instincts, will Costao be able to stand against the empire that runs the show and at what cost?
Don't miss out—stream Costao on ZEE5 Global starting May 1!
A ZEE5 Spokesperson said, 'At ZEE5 Global, we remain steadfast in our mission to tell stories that challenge norms and ignite meaningful dialogue. Real-life stories like Costao hold immense significance for us as they reflect courage, resilience, and truths that deserve to be seen and heard. The film is a strong addition to our expanding original film slate, with a story that is not only compelling but also thought-provoking. Our collaboration with the makers reflects a shared vision for delivering powerful narratives that go beyond the expected. As we continue to focus on differentiated storytelling, we are proud to back films like Costao that leave a deep and lasting impression on viewers.'
Producer Vinod Bhanushali said, 'We've always loved creating untold stories that are as interesting as they are unique, and Costao is the perfect example of that. With Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead, you know you're in for something special. His performance as Costao is pure magic—raw, intense, and layered in a way that will keep you hooked from the very first second. After Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, we felt Costao deserved a platform like ZEE5 Global for the story to reach the right audience. Our shared vision for authentic storytelling perfectly aligned, allowing us to craft a movie that challenges conventions and surprises at every turn. As a movie Costao demands your attention, and trust me, you won't want to look away. We're beyond excited for you to experience this rollercoaster when it drops on May 1st!'
Debutant Director Sejal Shah said, 'Costao is the story of an officer who risked his life to do the right thing and paid the price for it. It's raw, intense, and full of moments that will leave you questioning how far one person can go in the name of duty. Bringing this world to life has been a challenge and a privilege, and I couldn't have asked for a better actor than Nawazuddin Siddiqui to play Costao. He brings an unmatched authenticity and complexity to the character. ZEE5 Global has always backed bold, powerful storytelling, and I'm excited to collaborate with them. I can't wait for audiences to experience Costao—a story that deserves to be told.'
Nawazuddin Siddiqui expressed, 'Costao is not just a story about a customs officer fighting against a ruthless smuggling empire—it's about the cost of standing up to an entire system built on corruption and betrayal. There is a dialoug in the film where the character says 'Humare society mein sabko chahiye ki Officer honest ho aur brave ho… lekin Ghar mein Nahi'; it's so true. Costao's courage in the face of unbeatable odds reflects this perfectly. His battle is not only against criminals but against a system that tries to break him at every turn. I can't wait for viewers to experience the explosive twists, raw emotion, and relentless intensity that Costao brings. It's a story that will keep you at the edge, questioning what's right, what's wrong, and what one man is willing to sacrifice for justice. Don't miss it; Costao drops on May 1st!'
Produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Kamlesh Bhanushali, Bhavesh Mandalia, Sejal Shah, Shyam Sunder & Faizuddin Siddiqui and written by Bhavesh Mandalia & Meghna Srivastava, Costao is an unmissable story.
Stream ZEE5 Global Original, Costao, starting May 1, and witness the thrilling journey of one man's fight against Goa's smuggling empire—no matter the cost!

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'Logout' star Babil Khan: 'I always wanted to be loved'

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The Dubai foodie digest: 12 unmissable experiences this May
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The Dubai foodie digest: 12 unmissable experiences this May

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Evision bowls MENA over
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Broadcast Pro

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Cricket rights are no doubt expensive, but evision has always made it publicly clear that it only goes after rights that are commercially viable. To make that possible, it has developed a multifaceted monetisation strategy that combines strategic partnerships, subscription models, advertising revenues and content bundling. Specifically with the IPL, where evision has exclusive MENA linear broadcasting rights and non-exclusive MENA digital rights, leveraging both depends on how smartly it can activate and scale. For the latter, evision platforms offer superior quality of service through ultra-low latency, regional customisation and smart bundling options, making it the preferred streaming destination for IPL in the region. 'Our approach ensures we cater to the monetisation potential of exclusivity and the fan-first promise of accessibility. 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'What sets us apart is the broader network that has been built to retain sports audiences beyond the tournament. We're not just a cricket destination, we're an entertainment hub – viewers are left with fewer reasons to leave and more reasons to stay,' says Joy. Owing to the nature of its fan following, serving a vast viewing field was an important element of the IPL content acquisition strategy. Cricket audiences in India have deep-rooted state and city allegiances, which the IPL thrives on. The MENA viewer, on the other hand, is cosmopolitan and player-driven, with a higher ARPU (average revenue per user). The IPL balances both worlds – in India it builds on loyalties, while in the MENA it amplifies cross-border narratives that resonate with a multicultural audience. 'This duality is what makes the IPL such a powerful property,' says Joy. 'It is deeply local at its core, yet truly global in its appeal. And we tailor our strategy to suit that. Our storytelling, promotions and platform experience differ by market, making the experience inclusive, aspirational and globally tuned.' India is undoubtedly the IPL's core market, accounting for over 80% of viewership. Ad models reflect broad targeting, high frequency and multi-platform amplification. In contrast, the MENA is a premium, precision-driven market. Brands think of regional relevance, audience affinity and cultural alignment. Optimising a premium product such as the IPL requires a model that can adapt to changing viewing patterns as well as diverse market conditions. Evision depends on a blend of multiple streams that include subscription, ad-supported models and sponsorships tailored to different content types and viewing experiences. For the current IPL season, it has introduced an ad-supported model that allows it to leverage programmatic ads as well as partner with brands to tap into a larger audience base, and simultaneously increase revenue through targeted, scalable ad opportunities. Given the popularity of the IPL in the GCC, customisation efforts are geared towards enhancing the experience with curated match highlights, smarter ad targeting based on user behaviour and low-latency streaming. 'On our platforms, latency has been brought down to 8-12 seconds and the aim is to adopt the ultralow-latency tech (1-3 seconds) soon. We are using adaptive cloud-based delivery infrastructure, [and have] built responsive UIs and synchronised data layers that ensure users get the same experience on a mobile app, web browser or connected TV,' says Joy. Piracy poses a significant challenge to rights exclusivity. Illegal streaming during high-profile tournaments, facilitated by social media and unauthorised IPTV apps, is prevalent. It threatens overall revenue and undermines sponsor confidence, says Joy. 'By investing in advanced security measures, enhancing legal streaming services and collaborating with regulatory bodies, the industry can combat piracy effectively and safeguard investments in sports media.' Sports consumption is undergoing a significant transformation in the MENA, with exciting possibilities for the future of sports media in the region. From a passive consumer base, it has evolved into an active sports engagement hub and curator of premium sporting content, strengthening the link between audiences and sport. And as AI leans into all of this, interactive viewing will be the standard. Broadcasters are integrating real-time stats, interactive features and social media-style edits to optimise vertical viewing. As technology brings about this flexibility, power has shifted to viewers. Fans enjoy deeper engagement than ever before by way of AR, VR and 360-degree broadcasts. AI powers dynamic graphics and visuals during live sport, and offers in-game enhancements like player tracking, augmented reality overlays or even virtual commentators. 'Traditional gave a fixed angle, and digital is changing all of that,' says Joy. 'On-demand controls allow viewers to pause, rewind or watch key moments in slow motion or at their own pace.' Growth in MENA digital sports consumption is largely driven by Gen Z and millennials, whose engagement and viewership surpasses their counterparts in Europe and the US. Interest in sport has climbed from 27% in 2021 to 36% in 2024 among 16-24-year-olds, a 33% increase over three years. This is linked to strategic regional investment in local and international sports leagues, clubs and events that are increasingly accessible via digital platforms. Football remains the dominant sport in terms of content acquisition, viewership numbers and commercial viability. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, nearly 93% of the adult population in the country tuned in for key matches. However, cricket is becoming increasingly significant. Data from the 2023 IPL shows strong viewership growth in the GCC, with the UAE leading in engagement. This growth is expected to continue with the rising popularity of the IPL and as more international cricket tournaments are hosted in the region. The future of MENA sports streaming, and specifically in the GCC, will be about delivering a personalised, accessible sporting experience for the viewer while unravelling new revenue streams that guarantee long-term digital growth and sustainability for the broadcaster. 'Evision's objective is to invest responsibly, scale strategically and become the trusted digital sports destination in the region, and in so doing deepen our impact on the sporting landscape,' concludes Joy.

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