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Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is my go-to actor: 'Costao' director Sejal Shah
Mumbai, Filmmaker Sejal Shah says she knew only an actor with a calibre like Nawazuddin Siddiqui would be able to pull off the complex role of former customs officer Costao Fernandes in her directorial debut "Costao". What made her even more confident in her choice was that she and Siddiqui had already collaborated on the 2020 film "Serious Men", on which Shah served as a producer. In "Costao", the 50-year-old actor plays a fearless customs officer named Costao Fernandes, who took on gold smugglers and corruption despite personal setbacks. It is streaming on ZEE5. "I was very clear that I always wanted to cast Nawaz for 'Costao' because I knew that only he would be able to pull off a role like this. There are different shades to this character and I was already working with him on 'Serious Men'. We went to him and by the time the script got ready, we got the dates. "He is like my go-actor. I love Nawaz, I wish I could keep working with him. The big problem working with Nawaz is that he spoils you so much that you want to keep working with him all the time. He is such a fantastic actor and he elevates the script, he completely surrenders to it, which is a very big thing for such an experienced actor to do," Shah told PTI in an interview. The filmmaker said Siddiqui is a performer who has a lot of respect for the director's vision. "I'm a new director, so many times it happens that there are so many scenes where we are discussing and then he just tells me that 'This is what I feel, ultimately the call is yours'. He's one of those actors who is so committed to his craft," she said. Shah, who has backed web series such as "Asur" and "Decoupled", said she spent around three years doing research for the film which involved interactions with the real-life Costao, his family, and several customs officers. Convincing Costao for the biopic was not an easy feat, said the filmmaker, adding it took her nearly a year to get him on board. "Costao had been chased since 1990. Many people had come to him. He is such an honest person that he didn't want me to lie about certain things, he never said 'Let's not show the family what happened and how his relationship with his family changed and what happened after that incident'. "He was very open to me and said 'Let us speak the truth, whether people accept it or not as that is the harsh reality of life'. The idea was to stay close to the truth and that is why it's not a whitewashed biopic. We have stayed as true as possible because Costao is such a person that he demands the same honesty and truth from all of us," she added. Shah said she has already begun working on her upcoming projects: one is a thriller, the other is an action-romance film. "I'm looking to direct these films. We are finishing the script and then we will start the casting process." "Costao" also stars Priya Bapat, Kishore Kumar G, Gagan Dev Riar and Hussain Dalal.
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Costao director Sejal Shah Interview: Cinema's real competition is with social media reels
It's no surprise that creative breakthroughs have become few and far between in Hindi cinema. Nothing really works, and what does is either incendiary or formulaic. OTT, which was once considered as the beacon of hope for mid-budget, content-driven cinema, has also shifted course to greener pastures of star-driven vehicles. At a time like this, Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Costao, although not exemplary, felt like a calming, meditative biopic in a sea of too much noise. In a freewheeling chat with debut director Sejal Shah (who, before this, has backed films and series like Serious Men, Decoupled and Asur 2), we discuss biopics in Bollywood, if content-driven films have any takers, and how OTTs have changed course.
India.com
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Brakes Failed Mid-Stunt In Costao, Reveals Director Sejal Shah
Mumbai: Filmmaker Sejal Shah, who made her directorial debut with Costao, has revealed a hair-raising moment from the shoot involving lead actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The high-octane bike stunt, now the talk of the town, almost ended in disaster—but Nawaz's presence of mind and professionalism saved the day. Shah recalled that the sequence was shot in extremely tight, narrow lanes, intensifying the difficulty of the stunt. 'It was a risky chase scene, and Nawaz rode the bike himself without using a double,' she said, emphasizing the actor's commitment. What the crew didn't know was that midway through the scene, Nawaz's bike brakes had completely failed. 'He kept going and didn't let anyone panic. It was only after I yelled 'cut' that he calmly told us the brakes were gone,' she revealed. Despite the danger, Nawazuddin's composed performance not only added realism to the scene but also became one of the most intense moments on set. 'It's that kind of professionalism that elevates a film,' said Shah. Costao, now streaming on Zee5, is receiving critical praise for its gripping storyline, direction, and performances. Shah's entry as a feature film director is being celebrated across the industry. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZEE5 (@zee5) Before Costao, Sejal Shah was already a force behind the camera with acclaimed projects like Delhi Crime Season 2, Asur 2, Decoupled, and Serious Men—the latter earning Nawazuddin an International Emmy nomination. With Costao, Shah brings her unique visual storytelling and direction to the forefront, crafting a film that blends tension, emotion, and thrill seamlessly. The film continues to trend on Zee5 and social media, with this behind-the-scenes revelation adding yet another reason for audiences to watch it.
