Costao Review: A Familiar Story That Fails To Surprise Despite Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Solid Performance

Costao review: 'Costao' isn’t an unwatchable film — it’s just a deeply uninspired one. Despite Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s sincere effort, the film fails to leave a mark.

Costao review: There’s no denying that 'Costao' has good acting, especially from Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who delivers a restrained and believable performance. The supporting cast also puts in decent effort. But unfortunately, none of it is enough to lift a story that feels far too overdone. We’ve seen such tales play out countless times over the decades — and this one doesn’t bring anything fresh to the table.

Costao plot

The film follows the journey of Costa Fernandes, a sincere customs officer based in Goa, who is determined to bust a gold smuggling racket. It's the age-old battle between the honest officer and a wealthy gangster. While there are a few expected twists and turns, the trajectory is painfully predictable. It’s a storyline Indian audiences have been served repeatedly for the last 50 years, and there’s no surprise in where it ends up.

What works and what doesn’t in Costao

The film is, at best, watchable. But the narrative is so thin and uninspired that even a real-life backdrop doesn’t make it compelling. It lacks the emotional depth or thrill to hook viewers. Scenes fail to shock or awe, and there's nothing gripping enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen.

What’s perhaps most disappointing is the missed opportunity to infuse drama or freshness into the biographical premise. If you're going to retell a real story, at least give the audience a reason to care. In this case, the screenplay plays it too safe, and the weakly written antagonist makes matters worse.

Performances

Nawazuddin Siddiqui fits the role of the no-nonsense customs officer well. His body language, expressions, and dialogue delivery are on point. However, even his strong performance can't salvage a lackluster plot. Priya Bapat plays her part with sincerity, while Kishore Kumar, cast as the main villain, fails to create the menace or intimidation needed to elevate the conflict.

Writing and direction

Written by Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava, and directed by Sejal Shah, the film suffers from its dated approach. The trio seems to have forgotten that audiences have grown up watching these exact same stories since the Amitabh Bachchan era. With nothing new to offer in the writing or treatment, the film feels like it was made only to be quietly released on OTT without much fuss.

Final verdict

'Costao' isn’t an unwatchable film — it’s just a deeply uninspired one. Despite Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s sincere effort, the film fails to leave a mark. In a time when audiences expect layered narratives and new perspectives, 'Costao' feels stuck in the past.