Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Costao Fernandes, Priya Bapat as Maria Fernandes, Kishore Kumar G as Alfanso D’Mello, Hussain Dalal as Peter, Mahika Sharma as Cassandra, Gagan Dev Riar as CBI Officer Narang, Davina Colaço, Ravi Shankar Jaiswal, Arjun Kumar Shrivasttav, Dilkash Khan in supporting roles
Director: Sejal Shah
Platform: ZEE 5 Global
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Rating: ★★★★
Political biopics wrapped in family drama aren’t the most sought-after genre in Hindi cinema today. With a few exceptions – like Madras Cafe, Raazi, or the underrated Rustom – the mix of patriotism, politics, and personal sacrifice often gets drowned in overused tropes.But ZEE5 Global’s Costao defies that fate with grace, restraint, and storytelling rooted in truth. This powerful biopic unearths the compelling story of Customs officer Costao Fernandes – a man who challenged corruption at sea and protected the honour of the Indian Navy, even when it cost him everything.
Set against the backdrop of Goa’s scenic coastline, the film unearths a little-known chapter of Indian naval history. The film chronicle’s Fernandes’s pursuit of justice as he takes on a notorious gold smuggling racket backed by political influence. What unfolds is not just a crime drama, but a deeply layered political thriller and family saga that explores sacrifice, silence, and national duty.
At the centre of it all is Nawazuddin Siddiqui, once again proving why he is one of the most versatile actors of our generation. He brings a quiet gravitas to the role of Costao – not as a larger-than-life hero, but as a real man haunted by duty, torn by politics, and grounded in his moral compass. Siddiqui doesn’t overplay the heroism; instead, he lets the story’s weight do the talking. His portrayal of Fernandes is subtle, internal, and deeply affecting – a man caught in a storm not of his making, but one he refuses to abandon.
The supporting cast – including Priya Bapat as his wife Maria, and Kishore Kumar G as the enigmatic Alfanso D’Mello – brings depth to the emotional arcs, portraying the unspoken cost of heroism on families and communities. Their performances ground the film, showing us that behind every public victory is private turmoil.
What elevates Costao beyond a standard biopic is its commitment to cultural authenticity. The film weaves in Konkani language with reverence, allowing the dialect to become part of the emotional landscape. Rather than diluting its roots for mass appeal, it proudly centres Goan identity and uses it as a storytelling strength. In doing so, Costao amplifies a local voice on a national stage.
Visually, the film is a masterclass in restraint. The cinematography Rafey Mahmood captures both the beauty and tension of Goa – its serene beaches, colonial houses, and the ever-present sea that becomes both metaphor and menace. The camera often lingers on quiet moments – a glance from a mother, the setting sun on a naval base, the distant roar of conflict – allowing the emotional undercurrents to build.
The soundtrack is equally evocative, marrying Goan folk sounds with orchestral arrangements that underscore the film’s themes of pride, loss, and resilience. The background score knows when to stay silent and when to soar – echoing Fernandes’s internal battles with grace.
As a family drama, Costao doesn’t shy away from showing the toll that service and sacrifice take on loved ones. His relationship with his wife, children, and community forms the emotional backbone of the film. These scenes ground the narrative and remind viewers that national service is not an isolated act – it is one that ripples through generations.
If there’s a critique, it’s that the screenplay occasionally veers into over-explanation, particularly in courtroom and naval briefing scenes. But these moments are brief and never enough to derail the film’s larger impact.
In a cinematic landscape dominated by formulaic thrillers and high-gloss action, Costao is a rare offering – a politically charged, emotionally intelligent drama that dares to be quiet, sincere, and historically rich. It honours not just a man, but a mindset: that truth, even when inconvenient, must prevail.
ZEE5 Global Original Film has done justice to a story that needed to be told – and has given us a film that deserves to be remembered.
Verdict: A bold, beautifully made biopic that salutes a real hero with heart, history, and humility.
