BOTTOM LINE
A Dry Biopic of an Inspiring Life
PLATFORM
ZEE5
RUNTIME
125 minutes
What Is the Film About?
In 1990s Goa, a determined customs officer, Costao Fernandes, wages a fierce battle against a large gold smuggling network. His pursuit of justice thrusts him into dangerous situations. A confrontation with the smugglers leads to a death, and Costao is subsequently accused of murder. How does he stay committed to his duty amidst the heavy personal toll in his fight against corruption in Goa?
Performances
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the lifeline of the film, who uses dialogues and body language to masterfully depict his fiery yet underplayed arrogance. However, he needed a more engaging script to sink his teeth into. Priya Bapat is as reliable as ever, winning your empathy while cast as a responsible wife who prioritises her family over anything else.
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Popular actor (Aadukalam) Kishor makes for a classy villain, though his character could’ve been fleshed out better. In his brief screen time, Hussain Dalal is both deceptive and effective. The other supporting cast – comprising Rohhit Tiwari, Gagan Dev Riar, Shashi Bhushan and Asmi Deo – do what they can to drive the story forward without major hiccups.
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Analysis
Costao, the biopic of upright Goan customs officer Costao Fernandes, narrates the tale of a sincere official dedicated to safeguarding the system, regardless of the cost, even if it means opposing his family’s interests, patiently hoping to clear his name in the death of gold smuggler Peter D’Mello, the man he’s accused of killing. However, not all compelling true stories make for exceptional cinema.
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Like every biopic of a government officer who swears by the system, Costao establishes the redoubtable reputation of the protagonist, a married man and a father of three, who thinks, breathes and eats work, which naturally affects his mental and family health beyond repair. He’s never off duty and relies on loyal informers to find gaping holes within the gold smuggling mafia in Goa.
Pitted against Costao are the two D’Mello brothers (Peter and his elder brother), influential men with excellent contacts within the system who can do what it takes to tame it. In a bid to catch the mafia bosses in the act, he is after Peter, and under improbable circumstances, ends up killing him in self-defence. The system, instead of protecting Costao, frames him for murder.
All the odds are pitted against Costao, and D’Mello is pining for vengeance. However, the latter is no vanilla baddie – he uses his contacts to dent the protagonist’s spirit, extend his legal battle for years, sans any hope in sight. The film, more than an officer’s story, depicts the heavy price one needs to pay for playing by the rules. Though justice is served, it comes at the cost of years lost to a system that failed him.
The issue with Costao is the same as its protagonist. It remains content with a conventional, safe retelling of a real-life story, stuffing the narrative with a series of events in the characters’ lives, without fleshing them out efficiently. Time and again, we’re reminded that Costao is the good guy and D’Mello is the powerful criminal, but you don’t get much beyond the surface-level detailing.
Intriguingly, the story is told from the perspective of Costao’s daughter Marissa, whose understanding of her father’s life evolves with time as she adults. The better moments of the film don’t involve Costao’s family, but the loyal friendship that he and his undisclosed informer share. Both lead similar lives, playing by the book, doing their jobs with conviction without expecting much in return.
Costao has a solid masala moment where the protagonist and D’Mello have a word with one another before one of the court proceedings, where the former proves why he’s one up against him in the battle. The film needed more such subtle ‘dhamakedaar’ moments like these to infuse a new lease of life into the (generally dull) proceedings.
You empathise with Costao by the end of the story – he gives up hope on himself, about the system, stays away from family, distances himself from courtroom affairs and goes about his job with a sense of detachment. While the director Sejal Shah’s intention behind the biopic is crystal clear, the best part of the film is still in his head, which needed more time to germinate into a more absorbing product.
Costao may not be a bad biopic, but it had more potential for sure.
Music and Other Departments?
Ketan Sodha’s background score suits the mood of the film, which takes its own sweet time to uncover its contours. The songs are generally forgettable. Cinematographer Rafey Mahmood deserves a lion’s share of the credit in terms of its execution, particularly for his non-touristy portrayal of Goa like an insider, minus the usual, exotic cliches. In terms of storytelling, the film needed greater zing than being a sincere student who wants to be in the good books of his teacher.
Highlights?
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Kishor’s performances
Inspiring story
A few subtle mass moments
Drawbacks?
Too slow to take off
Loses its spunk after a point
Underwrought characters
Did I Enjoy It?
Only in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Only if you’re okay with watching Nawzuddin in an underwhelming biopic
Costao OTT Movie Review by M9
