Costao’s trailer, already out, teases high-stakes drama, raw emotional moments, and a man-on-the-run narrative. Costao’s courage is tested when a confrontation with a smuggler’s brother spirals into a deadly manhunt
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has never been one to shy away from unconventional roles or platforms. From critically-acclaimed performances in Gangs of Wasseypur to redefining the digital narrative with Sacred Games, the actor has built a career marked by bold choices and layered characters. Yet, for a while, he made headlines for distancing himself from the OTT space. Now, ahead of the release of his new film Costao, Siddiqui reflects on that decision, his return to streaming, and what drew him to play a fearless, principled customs officer battling corruption in 1990s Goa.
Sitting down with, Nawazuddin’s tone is both reflective and resolute. “That was ages ago!” he says with a chuckle, addressing reports from 2021 where he openly criticized the repetitive and uninspired content flooding OTT platforms. “Even then, many of my films were releasing on OTT. That hasn’t changed. My next film is going to theatres, yes—but OTT is here to stay, and it reaches a massive audience.”
Back in 2021, Siddiqui called OTT a “dumping ground” and accused platforms of becoming monopolized by big production houses pushing formulaic content. However, he now clarifies that the intention was never to permanently withdraw. “What I meant was, I didn’t want to do projects that felt like daily soaps. I wasn’t quitting OTT; I was just choosing not to compromise on quality.”
His return to OTT with Costao, premiering May 1 on ZEE5, appears to be a carefully considered move. Directed by debutant Sejal Shah, the film tells the story of Costao Fernandes, a courageous customs officer who finds himself in the crosshairs of a powerful smuggling network and a corrupt system. It’s a character Siddiqui felt compelled to explore.
“There can’t be just one reason for taking up Costao. But if I had to highlight a few—Sejal and Vinod, the people beside me during the narration, were major reasons,” Siddiqui shares, gesturing to the film’s director and producer. “It was the writing. And of course, Costao—his personality, his life story. His bravery, honesty, discipline, and courage really moved me.”
The film, set in Goa during the turbulent 1990s, follows Costao’s personal and professional trials. Siddiqui’s portrayal promises intensity, but he is quick to point out that getting into character wasn’t just about donning a uniform. “The costume and makeup help you feel the part, but that’s just the beginning,” he explains. “You have to research, understand the thought process of the character. It’s a collaborative journey—sitting with your director and writers, understanding where he comes from, what he stands for, and how far he’s willing to go.”
Known for choosing roles that stand apart, Siddiqui says his approach has always been to experiment. “I try to do different roles in every film. A few actors experiment, but most stick to the same thing. Thankfully, I’ve been lucky to work with directors and producers who’ve given me that freedom. Whether it’s a gangster, a poet, or now a customs officer—I’ve been allowed to explore people with depth.”
Costao’s trailer, already out, teases high-stakes drama, raw emotional moments, and a man-on-the-run narrative. Costao’s courage is tested when a confrontation with a smuggler’s brother spirals into a deadly manhunt. But it’s not just the action that drives the film—it’s the human cost of choosing righteousness in a corrupt system.
“There is a dialogue in the film where Costao says, ‘Humare society mein sabko chahiye ki officer honest ho aur brave ho… lekin ghar mein nahi.’ That line hit me hard,” Siddiqui says. “We celebrate bravery publicly, but in private, we discourage it because of the risks. Costao’s fight is not just against criminals—it’s against that mindset.”
For debutant director Sejal Shah, Siddiqui was the only choice. “Nawaz brings unmatched authenticity. Costao is raw, intense, and emotional. It’s not easy to carry that kind of weight on screen, but Nawaz does it effortlessly. The story deserved honesty, and he gave it that,” she says.
Siddiqui agrees that working with a first-time director can be refreshing. “New directors bring new energy. Sejal had clarity and vision from day one. We spent time aligning on the emotional beats of the character. That collaboration helped me build Costao from the inside out.”
Produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Kamlesh Bhanushali, Bhavesh Mandalia, Sejal Shah, Shyam Sunder, and Faizuddin Siddiqui, and written by Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava, Costao also stars Priya Bapat, Kishore Kumar G, Gagan Dev Riar, and Hussain Dalal.
As for what’s next, Siddiqui says he remains focused on storytelling—regardless of platform. “Cinema is changing. OTT or theatrical, for me, it’s always about the story. If the writing excites me and the character has something to say, I’m in.”
Costao streams on ZEE5 starting May 1.
