Costao is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language crime drama film based on true events. The movie is directed by Sejal Shah and stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role. It also features Priya Bapat, Kishore, Hussain Dalal, and Mahika Sharma in important roles. The story is written by Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava. It is produced by Vinod Bhanushali and team. The film was released on the OTT platform ZEE5.
After its release, Costao got mixed to positive reviews from both viewers and critics. Many people liked Nawazuddin’s acting and the raw, real story. On IMDb, the film has a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Audience reviews on social media are also mostly positive. Viewers said that the film is emotional, bold, and different from regular movies. Some people found it slow, but most agreed that it is a strong movie with an important message.
Review
Costao is not a regular Bollywood film. It tells the story of a man who starts from the streets and becomes part of the crime world. The movie is full of emotion, crime, and real struggles. It is serious and dark in tone. The movie shows how one wrong choice can change a person’s life. It also shows the pain of families, broken dreams, and how crime affects society.
The direction, acting, and writing are realistic. This film is not for people who want songs and comedy. It is for viewers who like deep, meaningful cinema. Nawazuddin Siddiqui once again proves that he is one of the best actors in India.
Story
The story of Costao is about a man named Raja (played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Raja grows up in a poor area where crime, poverty, and violence are common. He is a smart boy, but due to problems in life, he is forced to join the world of crime. At first, he does small illegal work, but slowly he becomes a big name in the crime world.
As he rises, he faces many enemies and also loses many friends. His family suffers because of his actions. His mother cries for him. His wife leaves him. But Raja cannot stop. He keeps going deeper into crime.
The movie shows how society, system, and poverty push some people into dark paths. It does not support crime, but shows how it starts. The story is emotional and makes the audience think deeply.
Acting
The acting in Costao is one of its biggest strengths. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is brilliant as Raja. He plays the role with full honesty. His eyes, voice, and body language are very powerful. He shows many emotions – anger, pain, guilt, and love. He is in almost every scene, and he makes the audience feel what the character feels.
Priya Bapat plays Raja’s wife. She has fewer scenes but does them with great impact. Her emotional scenes with Nawazuddin are very touching.
Kishore plays a police officer who is trying to stop Raja. His performance is strong and intense. Hussain Dalal plays Raja’s friend and brings some light moments in the film. Mahika Sharma also does a good job in a supporting role.
All actors have given realistic performances, which help make the film believable.
Direction
Sejal Shah has directed the film with a lot of care. She has told a difficult story in a simple and emotional way. The movie moves slowly but surely. The scenes are raw and powerful. The director has focused more on emotions than action.
The locations, background, and characters look real. The film does not feel like a set. It feels like real life. This is because of the director’s hard work and attention to detail.
Sejal Shah has also shown the human side of a criminal. She has not made Raja a hero, but has shown him as a man who makes mistakes. She does not judge the character. Instead, she lets the audience understand his journey.
Critical Response
Critics gave mostly positive reviews to Costao. Many said it is one of the most honest crime films in recent times. They praised the performances and direction.
A popular film website wrote, “Costao is a slow-burning but powerful film. Nawazuddin Siddiqui gives a memorable performance.” Another critic said, “The film is dark and painful, but it is important. It tells the story of the forgotten people of society.”
Some critics felt that the film is too slow in parts and could have been shorter. Others said that more background about the main character could have helped. But most agreed that the film is worth watching.
Plus Points
One big plus point of the film is Nawazuddin Siddiqui. His performance carries the whole movie. He makes the audience feel connected to the character.
Another good point is the writing. The dialogues are simple but strong. They leave an emotional impact.
The direction by Sejal Shah is also a strong point. She keeps the film real and avoids unnecessary drama.
The background music and cinematography help set the mood. The film also has a strong message about society, poverty, and crime.
The ending of the movie is powerful and emotional. It stays in the mind of the audience even after the film ends.
Minus Points
The biggest minus point is the slow pace. Some parts of the film feel too long. People who like fast movies may get bored.
There are also fewer commercial elements in the film. There are no big songs or comedy scenes. This may not work for everyone.
A few characters are not given much depth. Their stories could have been explained more. Some viewers may feel that the film is too serious or sad.
Also, some parts of the story are predictable. People who have seen other crime dramas may feel this story is similar.
Technical Department
The film’s technical work is good. The cinematography is dark and matches the mood of the film. The shots of narrow streets, small houses, and lonely roads create the right atmosphere.
The editing is okay, though a few scenes could have been trimmed to make the pace better. The sound design is very detailed. The background sounds like police sirens, fights, and silence are used well.
The costume and makeup team has done a good job to make characters look real. The art direction is natural, and the camera angles are well used in important scenes.
The film looks like a real story because of its technical team’s work.
Music Review
Costao does not have many songs. It has a background score that fits the dark and emotional mood of the film. The music is soft, emotional, and sometimes intense.
There is one main song called “Raaste Ka Sach”, which plays in the background during emotional scenes. The lyrics talk about truth, life, and pain. The song is slow and meaningful.
Another track, “Tooti Saans”, is about the pain of families when a loved one chooses a wrong path. This song is sung beautifully and makes the audience feel the sadness.
There is no item song or party song in the movie. The music is simple, just like the story.
Verdict
Costao is a serious and meaningful film. It tells the journey of a poor man who becomes a criminal because of his situation. It shows his rise and fall, and the pain he causes to others and himself.
The film is not for people who want entertainment. It is for those who want to see real stories, emotional characters, and social messages. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s performance is the biggest reason to watch this film.
The film is not perfect. It is slow and sometimes heavy. But it is also powerful, real, and brave. It is one of those films that stays in the heart and mind for a long time.
Final Verdict: A Dark, Honest Crime Story with Strong Acting and a Big Message
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