Latest news with #SeriousMen
Pink Villa
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Is working with Nawazuddin Siddiqui a ‘big problem' for Costao director Sejal Shah? ‘He is such a…'
Director Sejal Shah shared that from the very beginning, she believed only an actor of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's caliber could do justice to the intricate character of former customs officer Costao Fernandes in her debut film Costao. In a recent conversation, the filmmaker also opened up about one of the biggest problem she faced while working with Nawazuddin on the project and said, "He is such a great actor and he spoils you so much that you want to keep working with him all the time." In the ZEE5 original Costao, Nawazuddin Siddiqui portrays a brave customs officer, Costao Fernandes, who challenges gold smugglers and systemic corruption while dealing with personal struggles. Director Sejal Shah reportedly shared that she had always envisioned Nawazuddin in the lead role, believing he was the only actor capable of portraying such a layered character. Having already collaborated with him on Serious Men, she approached him early on, and once the script was finalized, they managed to align schedules to begin filming. In a recent interview with PTI, filmmaker Sejal Shah expressed deep admiration for Nawazuddin Siddiqui, referring to him as her "go-to actor" and praising his dedication to the craft. She reportedly said that working with Nawazuddin can be both a blessing and a challenge, not because of any difficulty, but because he sets such a high standard that one is left wanting to collaborate with him repeatedly. Shah noted that Siddiqui not only fully immerses himself in a role but also brings the script to life in ways that exceed expectations. She added that his willingness to completely surrender to the director's vision, despite his vast experience, is a rare and admirable quality. In her interview, director Shah reportedly shared that as a first-time filmmaker, working with Nawazuddin Siddiqui was both reassuring and collaborative. She mentioned that there were several moments during the shoot when they would discuss scenes in depth, and Nawazuddin, while offering his insights, would ultimately remind her that the final decision was hers. She praised his professionalism and deep commitment to his craft. Shah also revealed that securing the real-life inspiration for the film, Costao Fernandes, for the biopic took nearly a year. According to her, convincing him wasn't easy, as he had been approached by many since 1990. She described Fernandes as an incredibly honest individual who insisted on portraying the truth, even the difficult parts. He reportedly never asked the team to sugarcoat the portrayal of his family dynamics or avoid the fallout that followed a critical incident in his life.
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.
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bollywood is insecure, creatively bankrupt, steals ideas from South, says Nawazuddin Siddiqui: ‘Anurag Kashyap was forced to quit'
Many actors and filmmakers have spoken about the worrisome state of the Hindi film industry and how it's reeling under the pressure of box office failures and formulaic films. In a recent interaction, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui called out the industry for lacking original ideas and creativity, and for constantly copying content from South films. In a recent interaction with Puja Talwar, Nawaz blamed the industry for backing formulaic films over the last five years. He also called the culture of sequels 'pathetic.' He said, ' Actually insecurity bohut badh gayi hai. Unko lagta hai ek formula chal raha hai toh usse chala lo, ghiso isko. Aur usse bhi pathetic yeh hogaya ki yeh 2, 3, 4 (sequels) hone lag gaya. (Actually, insecurity has increased a lot. They feel that if a formula is working, they should keep milking it, overdo it. And what's even more pathetic is that now there are 2, 3, 4 sequels being made).' He devised the word 'creativeruptcy' to highlight how the film industry has been bankrupt of creative ideas. He said, ' Kahin na kahin jaise bankruptcy hoti hai, vaise yeh creativeruptcy hogaya. Kangaliyat hai bohut zayada (It's creative bankruptcy, just like financial bankruptcy. There's a lot of creative poverty).' The Serious Men actor outrightly called the film industry folks thieves for stealing ideas from South films. He said, ' Ab jo chor hote hain, voh kahan se creative ho sakte hain. Humne south se churaya, kabhi yahan se churaya, kabhi wahan se churaya. Even some cult-films which became hits, unke scenes bhi chori kare hue hain. Isko itna normalise kardiya gaya ki chori hai toh kya hua? (Now, how can thieves be creative? We've stolen from the South, sometimes from here, sometimes from there. Even some cult films that became hits have scenes that were copied. This has been so normalised that it's like — so what if it's stolen?).' Nawaz also pointed out a disturbing norm in the Hindi film industry — where makers would hand over the video of a film and directly ask someone to replicate it. 'What can you expect from an industry like this? What kind of actors will come in? They'll be of the same kind,' he said. He also took the opportunity to mention how filmmaker Anurag Kashyap was forced to quit the Hindi film industry because of this very culture. 'And then actors and directors start quitting — like Anurag Kashyap, who was bringing in good work,' he said. Earlier, Anurag had shared that he had moved out of Mumbai and is now taking more interest in South cinema, as Bollywood has become 'toxic.' Speaking to The Hindu, he said, 'I've left Mumbai. I want to stay away from film people. The industry has become too toxic. Everyone is chasing unrealistic targets, trying to make the next Rs 500 or Rs 800 crore film.'
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.
