Latest news with #CostaoFernandes
Hans India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
‘Costao' review: Gritty crime biopic rooted in justice and sacrifice
Costao is a compelling biographical crime drama that delves deep into the real-life story of Costao Fernandes, a former customs officer whose pursuit of justice shook Goa's smuggling underworld in the 1990s. Directed by Sejal Shah, the film is streaming in Zee 5 from May 1, 2025, takes a hard look at duty, personal sacrifice, and the cost of integrity in a deeply corrupt system — all brought to life by the ever-versatile Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Set against the scenic yet politically turbulent backdrop of Goa, Costao opens by introducing its titular character in multiple shades — a committed officer, a caring father, and a loyal husband. Nawazuddin Siddiqui portrays Fernandes with raw intensity, capturing the emotional and psychological weight of a man torn between family and responsibility. From the very first frame, Siddiqui immerses himself in the role, making you believe in the man's unwavering moral compass. The film's plot kicks off when Costao receives a tip about a massive Rs. 1500 crore gold smuggling operation allegedly orchestrated by a powerful politician, D'Mello. With the green light from his superiors, Costao dives into the investigation, ultimately leading to a physical confrontation with Peter D'Mello — a turning point that forever alters his personal and professional trajectory. The script does a fine job of balancing action with emotion. The courtroom drama, family tensions, and betrayal from within the system all come together to paint a realistic picture of the pressures faced by honest officers. A particularly hard-hitting moment is when Costao, frustrated and cornered, delivers a searing line: 'Humare society mein sabko chahiye ki officer honest ho aur brave ho... lekin ghar mein nahi.' The duality of public expectation versus private sacrifice rings through the film. Priya Bapat plays Costao's wife with grace and conviction, adding emotional depth to the story. Her chemistry with Nawazuddin, especially during high-stakes emotional confrontations, adds authenticity to the domestic struggles faced by whistleblowers. The father-daughter relationship, as narrated through Costao's daughter, becomes a standout narrative device, adding tenderness to an otherwise intense plotline. While the film occasionally falters with minor pacing issues, it never strays from its core — telling a story of resilience. The visuals, scripting, and background score seamlessly blend to amplify the film's emotional impact. In the end, Costao isn't just about one man's bravery — it's about what it means to stand for something when the world tells you not to. It's a salute to unsung heroes, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui's portrayal ensures it's a story that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Rating: 3.5/5
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Ex-Goa CM Alemao's plea to stop release of film starring Nawazuddin rejected by Bombay HC
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has dismissed an appeal by former Goa chief minister Churchill Alemao for an injunction to restrain the release of the film 'Costao'. The 'biographical' film – which released Thursday on an OTT service, stars actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and is based on the life of a retired customs officer Costao Fernandes, who was posted in Goa in the 1990s. Churchill had filed a civil defamation suit before the Civil Judge Senior Division at Margao last year seeking an order of temporary injunction to restrain the production companies and director of the film from carrying on any further production of the movie and from releasing it in theatres or OTT platform or any other source in India or abroad. The veteran politician sought Rs 100 crore in damages or compensation claiming that the film was 'solely based on the narrative given by Costao Fernandes, in complete ignorance of various judicial proceedings that were initiated in respect of the incident, and which are contained in various judgments of this Court and of the Supreme Court'. In 1991, Costao Fernandes, an intelligence officer attached to the Customs House at Mormugao in South Goa, claimed to have received credible information that the Alemao brothers and their associates were planning to smuggle gold into the country. Fernandes had chased and intercepted a car allegedly driven by Churchill's brother Alvernaz and in the ensuing scuffle and knife-fight, Alvernaz was grievously hurt and later succumbed to his injuries. In the petition, Churchill, representing the entire Alemao family consisting of his brothers – Joaquim, the late Alvernaz and the late Ciabro and their spouses and children – said the movie, if allowed to be produced and released, would portray him and his family as a 'villain' and would allow the producers to make commercial gain at the cost of his reputation and political career and of his family members. His counsel submitted 'that the incident being well-known, in the absence of also including the findings exonerating the plaintiff [Churchill] of the customs and criminal case, the public would carry an impression that the plaintiff and his family were smugglers'. In their reply, the respondents said that the movie does not purport to be a true story and is a fictional account in which the real-life incident 'may have inspired the film'. The respondents said that the film is merely a narrative based on Costao's version of events, 'with creative liberties of fictionalization and dramatization.' The lower court had rejected the application for temporary injunction, observing that the plaintiff sought an order of restraint on the assumption that the film would be defamatory of the plaintiff and of his deceased brother. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZEE5 (@zee5) In an order Wednesday – a day before the movie was released — the HC bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes, said the findings of the trial court do not call for any interference in appeal. The High Court said 'the plaintiff has not made out any prima facie case and spelt out in what manner his reputation has been affected, based upon news articles which are, not proved to be at the behest and on information given by the defendants. The film is yet to be released and the plaintiff is basing his claim on a conjecture that the film would contain defamatory material.' '…At least at this stage, before the release of the film, the defendants have set out a case that the film is a work of fiction, dramatizing an incident which is described in records of various courts. The defendants also claim that the film is based on inspiration derived from the facts stated in court records and from the version of the incident stated by Costao. The claim is that the film is a work purely of fiction and dramatizing the incident to give it a certain entertainment value for viewers. There are enough of safeguards also placed in the form of a disclaimer. Nothing is shown on record to draw any likeness of any character in the film, which is not yet released, or for the plaintiff to believe from any material that the character has a likeness similar to the plaintiff or any members of his family,' the court said.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Costao' movie review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui anchors this biopic which shines in the second half
Costao Fernandes, the ex-officer from Marmagoa Custom House, hid in the jungle for a day after accidentally killing Alvernaz Alemao, brother of former Goa chief minister Churchill Alemao. With his body battered with multiple wounds, Costao faced an immense struggle to stay alive. Only after he surrendered to the cops the next day did Costao's lone fight against an influential and corrupt system begin, as he gave his all to prove his innocence. What if Sejal Shah's biopic had started from this chilling episode? In herdirectorial debut Costao, the Hindi thriller on Zee5, Sejal believes in linear storytelling, and that approach sucks out the intensity of the incredible journey of her protagonist. Like several biopics, Costao is content with being family-friendly drama. Hence, the movie is narrated from the point of view of Costao's little daughter. The movie, set in the 90s, tries to establish Costao as a fitness freak who holds his job and country close to heart. There is a slight detachment from the proceedings as the scenes are marked with a tinge of dullness. Operating leisurely, Costao presents its protagonist as a traditional, rousing hero instead of looking at him as a unique character. Even the dramatic chase that results in Costao's busting of Alemao's gold smuggling in broad daylight comes with a funky background score, making it hard to take the scene seriously. Costao (Hindi) Director: Sejal Shah Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priya Bapat, Kishore, Gagan Dev Riar, Shyam Sunder Runtime: 120 minutes Storyline: Costao Fernandes, a humble customs officer, is known for bringing smuggling down in Goa. What happens when he ends up killing a popular drug lord in self-defence? After a bumpy start, Costao recovers nicely to an extent when Nawazuddin Siddiqui begins to convince us of the vulnerability of Costao. After a long legal turmoil, when Costao slowly gives in to the inevitability of his situation, you begin to feel for him, thanks to Siddiqui's aching portrayal. Throughout the film, we tend to understand the real Costao. He is a man who loves to see the lighter side in serious situations. Siddiqui is hilarious in a scene where Costao pranks a woman in his daughter's school, reminding us of his ability to ace grey, quirky characters. Costao is also a man who prefers logic over emotions, and that's why he nonchalantly talks about the importance of eating to counter stress amidst a serious argument. Perhaps his relentless emphasis on duty and discipline came in the way of balancing his work and family. Despite his self-confession of being an 'absent father' and a 'bad husband', Costao struggles to let go of his love for serving the nation, and this duality comes out superbly during a well-acted quarrel with his wife (Priya Bapat in an affecting performance) where he stresses that he isn't guilty. ALSO READ:'The Bhootnii' movie review: Sanjay Dutt's ghosthunter act cannot enliven horror comedy Kishore, as Alemao, gets a one-note villain character. A face-off between Costao and Alemao is gripping, thanks to the authoritative exchanges between Siddiqui and Kishore. Costao has dense scenes that work well, as opposed to the film coming together nicely as a whole. Apart from a gentle ode to Goans, the movie ends up as a humanistic portrayal of an honest officer at the expense of insights and a compelling narrative accompanying a complex legal case. Costao is currently streaming on Zee5
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Costao OTT release date: 5 things to know about Nawazuddin Siddiqui's gripping crime crama
Costao OTT release date: The announcement of Costao, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Priya Bapat, a few days ago delighted many. Nawazuddin Siddiqui portrays the bold customs officer Mr. Costao Fernandes in the film. The story follows how a customs officer's actions shook the criminal underworld. All the information you need about the Sejal Shah-directed film is now available on OTT. Directed by Sejal Shah, the movie is now out on OTT and here's all you need to know about it. Costao OTT release date Costao released on Zee5 today (1st May). So, the movie is now streaming. What is Costao about? Inspired by the real-life adventures of a daring customs officer named Costao Fernandes who faced up against Goa's most potent smuggling syndicate, Costao is set in the 1990s. It follows his audacious one-man operation that exposed one of the largest gold smuggling schemes in Indian history. Costao Cast: Who stars in the movie? The film boasts a powerful ensemble led by: Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Mr. Costao Fernandes Priya Bapat Kishor Kumar Huli Gagan Dev Riar Hussain Dalal Meet the crew behind Costao Costao is directed by Sejal Shah. The film is produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Kamlesh Bhanushali, Bhavesh Mandalia, Sejal Shah, Shyam Sunder, and Faizuddin Siddiqui. The screenplay is penned by Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava, while Bhavesh Bhanushali and Abhijit Chawathe serve as co-producers. Why to watch Costao? Nawazuddin Siddiqui's performance is reason enough, he brings intensity and depth to the role of a fearless law enforcer. If you're a fan of slow-burning crime dramas with rich storytelling and psychological depth, Costao won't disappoint. The film is packed with real-life inspiration, stunning visuals, and thrilling sequences that highlight both human courage and the decay of corrupt systems.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Costao Review: A lacklustre biopic that tests your patience
Story: Costao is a biographical crime drama that chronicles the life of Costao Fernandes (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a principled customs officer in 1990s Goa. As he delves into a gold smuggling syndicate, his unwavering commitment to justice leads him into perilous confrontations, both professionally and personally, ultimately branding him a fugitive. Review: Biographical films often grapple with balancing factual storytelling and cinematic engagement. Costao, while inspired by real events, positions itself as a work of fiction, drawing loosely from the life of customs officer Costao Fernandes. Despite the rich potential of its premise, the film struggles to deliver a compelling narrative. The story unfolds through the eyes of Costao's daughter, Marissa (Asmi Deo), who introduces us to her father's unwavering dedication to his duty. This narrative choice aims to provide a personal touch, yet it inadvertently distances the audience from the protagonist's internal struggles. The screenplay, penned by Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava, takes its time establishing Costao's character but fails to delve deeply into his motivations or the complexities of his moral compass. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, portraying Costao Fernandes, brings his signature intensity to the role. His performance stands out, capturing the nuances of a man torn between duty and personal turmoil. However, the script offers limited scope for character development, rendering his efforts somewhat constrained. The film's pacing is notably sluggish. After a promising start, the story starts to drag, focusing on repetitive domestic disputes between Costao and his wife, Mariya (Priya Bapat), and predictable confrontations with corrupt customs and CBI officials. These sequences are important to the film's plot, yet they seem to add little to the overarching plot and diminish the story's momentum. Goa's vibrant backdrop is underutilised, serving more as a cursory setting than an integral part of the story. The film misses opportunities to incorporate the region's unique cultural and socio-political landscape into the storyline, which could have enriched the plot. Musically, Ajay Jayanthi's score fails to leave a lasting impression. The soundtrack lacks the emotional depth and thematic resonance needed to elevate the film's dramatic moments. In conclusion, Costao aspires to be a gripping tale of integrity and sacrifice but falls short due to its underwhelming script and lackluster storytelling. While Nawazuddin Siddiqui's performance offers glimpses of brilliance, the film ultimately doesn't capitalise on the intriguing real-life events it draws inspiration from.
