Thereforedesignpune at 04:59, 1 March 2026

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{{short description|Indian Hindi-language biographical crime drama film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Costao
| image = Costao.jpg
| caption = Promotional release poster
| director = Sejal Shah
| writer = Bhavesh Mandalia Meghna Srivastava
| producer = [[Vinod Bhanushali]] Kamlesh Bhanushali Bhavesh Mandalia Sejal Shah Shyam Sunder Faizuddin Siddiqui
| starring = [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] [[Priya Bapat]] [[Kishore Kumar G]] [[Hussain Dalal]] [[Mahika Sharma]]
| cinematography = Rafey Mahmood
| editing = Unnikrishnan Payoor Parameswaran
| studio = Bhanushali Studios Bombay Fables Motion Pictures Side Hero Entertainment
| distributor = [[ZEE5]]
| released = {{Film date|2025|05|01|df=y}}
| runtime = 124 minutes
| country = India
| language = Hindi
}}
'''''Costao''''' is a [[List of Hindi films of 2025|2025]] Indian [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]]-language [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[Crime film|crime drama film]] directed by [[Sejal Shah]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pahalgam terror attack: Nawazuddin Siddiqui wears black band at Costao press con. |url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/pahalgam-terror-attack-nawazuddin-siddiqui-wears-black-band-at-costao-press-con-23527484 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Was Nawazuddin Siddiqui cast in Costao because of his resemblance to Customs officer? Director Sejal Shah spills the beans |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/was-nawazuddin-siddiqui-cast-in-costao-because-of-his-resemblance-to-customs-officer-director-sejal-shah-spills-the-beans/558722f52b738 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |archive-date=2025-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423114825/https://www.ottplay.com/news/was-nawazuddin-siddiqui-cast-in-costao-because-of-his-resemblance-to-customs-officer-director-sejal-shah-spills-the-beans/558722f52b738 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=Meet Costao Fernandes, Customs Officer Who Killed Goa CM's Brother For Smuggling Gold; How It Inspired Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Role In ZEE5 Movie? |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/entertainment/costao-movie-meet-costao-fernandes-customs-officer-who-killed-goa-cm-brother-for-smuggling-gold-and-inspired-nawazuddin-siddiqui-role-10230534 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=English Jagran |language=en}}</ref> The film stars [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]], [[Priya Bapat]], [[Kishore (actor, born 1974)|Kishore]], [[Hussain Dalal]], and [[Mahika Sharma]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=Costao set for OTT release: When and where to watch Nawazuddin Siddiqui movie - CNBC TV18 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/entertainment/costao-set-for-ott-release-when-and-where-to-watch-nawazuddin-siddiqui-movie-19590900.htm |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en}}</ref> It was written by Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava and produced by [[Vinod Bhanushali]], Kamlesh Bhanushali, Bhavesh Mandalia, Sejal Shah, Shyam Sunder and Faizuddin Siddiqui.

Set in the 1990s, ''Costao'' is based on the true story of Costao Fernandes,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-12 |title=First look from Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Costao unveiled |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/hindi/news/2025/Apr/12/first-look-from-nawazuddin-siddiquis-costao-unveiled |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> a [[Goa]] [[Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs#Hierarchy & designation of CBIC|Customs officer]] who sacrificed everything to dismantle a major gold smuggling operation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Twinkle |date=2025-04-23 |title=Costao release date: Know when and where to watch Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/ott/costao-release-date-know-when-and-where-to-watch-nawazuddin-siddiqui-starrer-2025-04-23-986981 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=India TV News |language=en}}</ref> The film was released on 1 May 2025 on [[ZEE5]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-20 |title=For 10 years of 'Badlapur': Nawazuddin Siddiqui's dialogue improv added another dimension to his character |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/for-10-years-of-badlapur-nawazuddin-siddiquis-dialogue-improv-added-another-dimension-to-his-character-947518 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui's 'Costao' to stream on this OTT platform |url=https://telanganatoday.com/nawazuddin-siddiquis-costao-to-stream-on-this-ott-platform |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Telangana Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Plot ==
The film depicts the efforts of Costao Fernandes (portrayed by [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]]), a customs officer in [[Goa]] during the 1990s. His dedication to [[law enforcement]] drives him to uncover a gold smuggling syndicate. Working on a tip, he follows the gold smugglers, and in an act of self defence kills Peter, who was running away with gold. Peter happens to be brother of a politician, who soon wins the upcoming state election and uses all state forces to crush Costao and give him an unjust trial.

The narrative follows Costao's actions as he works to expose the smugglers, facing significant personal and professional challenges along the way. His pursuit of justice results in conflict with the smuggling ring, leading to a series of tense events. Eventually, post two convictions in lower courts, the Supreme Court rules in his favour.

== Cast ==

* [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] as Costao Fernandes
* [[Priya Bapat]] as Maria Fernandes
* [[Kishore (actor, born 1974)|Kishore Kumar G]] as D'Mello
* [[Hussain Dalal]] as Peter D'Mello
* [[Mahika Sharma]] as Cassandra
* Davina Colaço
* [[Gagan Dev Riar]] as Sameer Narang, Addnl SP, CBI Officer
* Shravan Fondekar as Young Informer
* Arjun Kumar Shrivastav
* Dilkash Khan as Goon

== Production ==
''Costao'' is produced by Bhanushali Studios Limited and Bombay Fables Motion Pictures, with a screenplay written by Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-17 |title=Costao trailer: 'Honest customs officer' Nawazuddin Siddiqui is accused of murder, fights battle against corrupt system |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/costao-trailer-honest-customs-officer-nawazuddin-siddiqui-is-accused-of-murder-fights-battle-against-corrupt-system-101744879215647.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417093053/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/costao-trailer-honest-customs-officer-nawazuddin-siddiqui-is-accused-of-murder-fights-battle-against-corrupt-system-101744879215647.html |archive-date=2025-04-17 |access-date=2025-04-26 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref> The story of ''Costao'' is based on real-life events surrounding a gold smuggling operation in 1990s Goa, and the film highlights the personal and professional challenges faced by Costao Fernandes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Costao Teaser: Nawazuddin Siddiqui Is Up Against Goa's Most Notorious Smuggler |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/costao-teaser-nawazuddin-siddiqui-is-up-against-goas-most-notorious-smuggler-8162440 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=NDTV |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Costao: Release date, OTT platform, cast, plot, and more about Nawazuddin Siddiqui's drama |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/costao-release-date-ott-platform-cast-plot-and-more-about-nawazuddin-siddiquis-drama/4aa4cd2e1c840 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> Filming took place on location in [[Goa]], with cinematography by Rafey Mehmood and editing by Unnikrishnan Payoor Parameswaran.

== Release ==
''Costao'' was released on 1 May 2025 on the [[ZEE5]] streaming platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Soji |first=Alwin Benjamin |date=2025-04-26 |title=7 exciting OTT releases to watch between April 25 and May 1 |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/tv/2025/Apr/26/7-exciting-ott-releases-to-watch-between-april-25-and-may-1 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Indulgexpress |language=en}}</ref> The trailer was released in mid-April 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-17 |title='Costao' trailer: Nawazuddin Siddiqui fights crime and corruption in gripping gold-smuggling thriller |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/hindi/costao-trailer-nawazuddin-siddiqui-fights-crime-and-corruption-in-gripping-gold-smuggling-thriller/articleshow/120384894.cms |access-date=2025-04-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Reception ==
''Costao received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for Nawazuddin Siddiqui's performance and the film's storytelling, direction, and pacing:''

[[Pinkvilla]] called ''Costao'' "one of the rare Hindi OTT delights these days" and praised Nawazuddin Siddiqui for playing "a larger-than-life hero most realistically.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays a larger-than-life hero most realistically and there's nothing to complain. Pinkvilla. |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/reviews/costao-review-nawazuddin-siddiqui-plays-a-larger-than-life-hero-most-realistically-and-theres-nothing-to-complain-1385118}}</ref> Lachmi Deb Roy of [[Firstpost]] lauded the film as a "delightful movie" with a "terrific performance" by Siddiqui, appreciating its restrained storytelling and honest portrayal of real events.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deb Roy |first=Lachmi |title='Costao' Movie Review: Terrific performance by Nawazuddin Siddiqui & what a beautifully restrained way of storytelling |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/costao-movie-review-terrific-performance-by-nawazuddin-siddiqui-and-what-a-beautifully-restrained-way-of-storytelling-13884168.html |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=[[Firstpost]]}}</ref> Ronak Kotecha from [[The Times of India]] gave a mixed review, stating that Siddiqui's brilliance was evident, but the sluggish pacing and weak script diminished the impact of the real-life story.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kotecha |first=Ronak |title=Costao Review: 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 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/costao/ottmoviereview/120732298.cms |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Firstpost described the film as "a delightful movie" and commended Siddiqui's return to form, noting his "terrific performance" and the film's "beautifully restrained way of storytelling."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lachmi Deb Roy. "'Costao' Movie Review: Terrific performance by Nawazuddin Siddiqui & what a beautifully restrained way of storytelling." Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/costao-movie-review-terrific-performance-by-nawazuddin-siddiqui-and-what-a-beautifully-restrained-way-of-storytelling-13884168.html}}</ref> News9Live referred to ''Costao'' as "a powerful blend of emotion, corruption, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui's brilliance," noting his performance as "layered, restrained, and deeply affecting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taru Masand. "Costao review: A powerful blend of emotion, corruption, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui's brilliance." News9Live |url=https://www.news9live.com/entertainment/movie-review/costao-movie-review-2845195}}</ref> Moneycontrol highlighted ''Costao'' as "a sharp, engaging real-life drama," emphasizing Siddiqui's portrayal as "at his best."<ref>{{Cite web |title=A sharp, engaging real-life drama that sees Nawazuddin Siddiqui at his best." Moneycontrol |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/costao-movie-review-a-sharp-engaging-real-life-drama-that-sees-nawazuddin-siddiqui-at-his-best-article-13008524.html}}</ref> Arpita Sarkar of [[OTTplay]] gave a positive review, rating it 4.5/5 and commending Siddiqui's natural acting and the film's enthralling narrative through the daughter's perspective, though she noted minor issues with plot execution.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Arpita |title=Costao Movie Review: A gold smuggling ring, bold pursuit of justice and Nawazuddin Siddiqui at his best |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/costao-movie-review-a-gold-smuggling-ring-bold-pursuit-of-justice-and-nawazuddin-siddiqui-at-his-best/8c7d3eabdb918 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=[[OTTplay]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* ''[https://www.zee5.com/movies/details/costao/0-0-1z5734786 Costao]'' on [[ZEE5]]
* {{IMDb title|id=tt13261550}}

[[Category:2025 films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical drama films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language biographical films]]
[[Category:ZEE5 original films]]

Costao - Revision history

Thereforedesignpune at 04:59, 1 March 2026