Overview

• Costao, based on the life of customs officer Costao Fernandes, premiered on ZEE5 Global on May 1, 2025, making it available to international audiences.
• Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivers a powerful performance as Fernandes, with critics praising his depth and authenticity in portraying the complex character.
• The film explores Fernandes’s interception of a 1990s gold smuggling operation and the personal fallout of a self-defense killing, blending heroism and tragedy.
• Directed by Sejal Shah, the film subverts traditional biopic tropes, focusing on the moral and emotional costs of bravery and duty.
• Early reviews highlight Siddiqui’s standout performance but criticize the film’s lack of narrative cohesion and emotional depth.