Costao director Sejal Shah joins real-life customs heroes at emotional film screening with Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer biopic : Bollywood News

Sejal Shah’s debut directorial Costao continues its triumphant run, drawing praise not just from critics and audiences but also from those closest to the film’s heart—the real-life customs officers who inspired it. Starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Priya Bapat, the biographical drama chronicles the extraordinary journey of Costao Fernandes, a fearless customs officer who risked everything to dismantle a powerful gold smuggling syndicate in Goa.

Costao director Sejal Shah joins real-life customs heroes at emotional film screening with Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer biopic

Produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Kamlesh Bhanushali, Bhavesh Mandalia, Sejal Shah, Shyam Sunder, and Faizuddin Siddiqui, the film has been lauded for its authenticity, emotional depth, and gripping storytelling. Critics have hailed Shah’s sensitive yet taut direction and called Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s portrayal of Costao a career-defining performance.

Recently, the IRS (C&IT) Association, Mumbai Chapter, hosted a special screening of the film, making the evening even more memorable by welcoming real-life customs officers, including Costao Fernandes himself. Their presence transformed the screening into an emotional celebration of courage and resilience, bridging the reel and the real in an unforgettable way.

Sharing her reflections on the occasion, director Sejal Shah said, “Costao is a project that’s extremely close to my heart. I’m deeply grateful to Nawaz for bringing such honesty to the role and to every actor and crew member for collaborating and making this film happen. To witness real-life officers connect with the story was truly special. Even at our earlier screenings, when Costao himself and his daughter appreciated our work, it reaffirmed that we had done justice to this inspiring journey. This screening gave me the privilege to hear more extraordinary stories of courage and sacrifice, which were deeply moving.”

The film is inspired by Fernandes’ real-life heroism, which earned him the President’s Award in 1996 for dismantling the notorious Alemao brothers’ gold smuggling operations. With Costao now streaming on Zee5 since May 1, 2025, audiences worldwide can experience the gripping saga of a man who chose duty over comfort, and whose sacrifices still inspire generations.

Also Read: Nawazuddin Siddiqui calls Bollywood ‘chor’, slams industry’s lack of originality