Nawazuddin Siddiqui brings his usual brilliance to Costao, portraying a real-life customs officer trapped in a corrupt system. His performance is powerful, understated, and authentic—but the film fails to rise to his level. It tells the story of Costao Fernandes, a principled officer whose unwavering commitment to duty leads to personal turmoil and a wrongful murder accusation.
Despite its promising premise—honour, politics, courtroom drama—the narrative lacks cohesion. Costao introduces compelling elements but never explores them in depth. Goa’s vibrant backdrop remains underutilized, and the emotional weight of Fernandes’ journey is diluted by bland storytelling and unimaginative direction.
Priya Bapat plays Maria, Costao’s wife, but the family dynamic is underexplored. The turning point—a self-defence killing during duty—derails his life and steals years from his family, yet the emotional gravity of this is barely felt.
The courtroom drama holds potential, but its sporadic scenes lack intensity and insightful dialogue. A standout moment has Costao asserting power with the line: “If I’m in a room and the door is shut, you should be afraid—not me.” Sadly, such impactful scenes are rare.
Director Sejal Shah opts for a cautious approach when the story demands boldness. The villain is underwhelming, and the system lacks the menace needed to heighten Costao’s heroism. Without strong writing or dialogue, the film misses the emotional and dramatic highs it promises.
Ultimately, Costao is not a bad film—it just doesn’t match the magnitude of the man or the actor portraying him.
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