Costao REVIEW: Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Powerhouse Performance Cannot Save A Superficial Story Due To Its Weak Execution

Film:
Costao

Director: Sejal Shah

Writers: Bhavesh Mandalia, Meghna Srivastava

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priya Bapat, Kishor Kumar Huli, Gagan Dev Riar, Hussain Dalal

Platform: Zee5

Runtime: 2 Hours 5 Mins

Costao Review

Starring Nawazuddin in the lead role, the film portrays Fernandes as a resolute Customs Officer dedicated to safeguarding Goa’s borders from smuggling. He uses his instincts and a network of informants to stay ahead of criminal activities. The plot gains momentum when Fernandes receives an alert about a massive gold smuggling operation involving nearly 1,500 kilograms. As he conducts a tense investigation, the story takes a tragic turn when Fernandes accidentally causes the death of Peter DeMello, the brother of a powerful politician.

This event sparks a political storm, turning the system against Fernandes. The film delves into the familiar theme of an honest man up against a corrupt, manipulative institution, exposing political influence, bureaucratic indifference, and collusion between crime and authority. However, the execution feels predictable, with clichéd portrayals of police and corruption, lacking originality despite the real-life basis. What truths will Fernandes uncover? Can he prove his innocence? Will justice be served? To know what happens, read out review on Costao.

What Works

Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivers a deeply convincing and restrained portrayal of Costao Fernandes. His nuanced acting captures the emotional depth and moral complexity of a man torn between his duty and personal sacrifices, making his character the true highlight of the film. Scenes in the courtroom and intense confrontations showcase his acting mastery. The film is built around the inspiring real-life story of Costao Fernandes, an unsung hero who stood firm against corruption and injustice.

His journey embodies themes of integrity and resilience, deserving of a grand cinematic presentation that does justice to his legacy. The inclusion of Costao’s daughter’s narration adds an emotional touch, providing a personal lens that helps viewers connect more deeply with his struggles and sacrifices. The movie explores significant issues like systemic corruption, the personal toll of duty, and social injustice, which resonate strongly and add weight to the narrative.

What Doesn’t Work

Despite the compelling premise, the film tends to remain surface-level, barely delving into Costao’s emotional struggles or the deeper systemic corruption. The narrative often feels disjointed and fails to fully immerse viewers in his personal and professional journey. The antagonists, including politician D’Mello and his family, lack menace and depth, undermining the film’s potential to depict a corrupt system convincingly.

The systemic flaws are hinted at but not explored with enough boldness or detail to leave a lasting impression. The film could have explored Costao’s inner conflicts, family sacrifices, and the long-term impact of his stand for justice more thoroughly. Instead, it stays somewhat superficial, reducing its emotional resonance. While set in Goa, the film does little to showcase its vibrant culture, landscape, or local atmosphere, missing an opportunity to enrich the story with regional authenticity.

Technical Analysis

The visuals are adequate but lack creative flair. The film offers a standard look without leveraging Goa’s scenic beauty to enhance mood or atmosphere. The pacing is moderate; the film neither drags nor feels too hurried. Some scenes could have been trimmed for tighter storytelling, but overall, editing is competent. The background score and soundscape are functional but don’t elevate emotional moments or add depth to key scenes.

Direction

Sejal Shah’s direction attempts to faithfully depict a true story of heroism, but remains restrained. The film’s treatment is somewhat conservative, which diminishes its potential for emotional and dramatic impact. A bolder, more daring approach—highlighting systemic corruption and Costao’s bravery—could have taken the film to a higher level.

Writing & Screenplay

Sejal Shah’s direction attempts to faithfully depict a true story of heroism, but remains restrained. The film’s treatment is somewhat conservative, which diminishes its potential for emotional and dramatic impact. A bolder, more daring approach—highlighting systemic corruption and Costao’s bravery—could have taken the film to a higher level.

Music

The screenplay introduces promising elements but suffers from a lack of depth and coherence. Dialogues are ordinary and forgettable, missing chances for memorable lines that could amplify the emotional and thematic weight. The narrative feels predictable at times and doesn’t fully capitalise on the inspiring true story it’s based on.

Star Performances

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is an exceptional actor. His subtle and powerful performance elevates the entire film, making his character compelling despite the script’s shortcomings. Priya Bapat delivers a sincere portrayal of Costao’s wife, effectively highlighting the emotional strain on his family. The villains and other characters are underdeveloped, lacking menace or nuance, which affects the overall tension and engagement.

Conclusion

To conclude the review, Costao shines primarily through Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s remarkable and subtle portrayal, which lends authenticity and emotional depth to the inspiring true story of Costao Fernandes. His performance effectively conveys the moral dilemmas and inner struggles of a man fighting for justice, making him the film’s standout element. The addition of his daughter’s narration adds a heartfelt dimension, fostering a closer connection with his sacrifices and resilience. The film’s focus on themes like systemic corruption and social injustice reinforces its relevance and significance.

Nevertheless, despite these compelling aspects, the movie struggles to deliver a fully immersive and emotionally rich experience. It’s somewhat superficial storytelling, thinly developed antagonists, and missed opportunities to showcase Goa’s unique culture limit its capacity to resonate deeply. Technical elements such as cinematography, music, and direction are competent but lack originality, leaving room for greater creative expression. Additionally, the screenplay and dialogue could have been sharper to enhance coherence and emotional impact.

In the end, while Costao benefits greatly from Siddiqui’s powerful performance and an inspiring real-life narrative, it would have been elevated by bolder storytelling choices and a more immersive approach. It is a commendable effort that pays tribute to an unsung hero, but with more daring and depth, it could have been a truly impactful cinematic masterpiece.

We hope our review of Costao will help you decide to watch it.

Watch The Trailer Of Costao

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Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.