Is working with Nawazuddin Siddiqui a ‘big problem’ for Costao director Sejal Shah? ‘He is such a…’

Director Sejal Shah expressed early on that it was essential for an actor of Nawazuddin Siddiqui‘s talent to portray the complex character of Costao Fernandes in her first film, “Costao”. During a recent chat, the filmmaker disclosed one significant challenge she experienced while collaborating with Nawazuddin and stated, “He is such an exceptional actor that he overdelivers to such an extent that you can’t help but desire to work with him constantly.

In the original series “Costao” on ZEE5, Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the role of the courageous customs official, Costao Fernandes. This character confronts gold smugglers and battles deep-seated corruption within the system, all while grappling with his own personal hardships.

As per reports, Director Sejal Shah expressed that Nawazuddin Siddiqui had been her top choice for the lead role all along, as she felt he was uniquely skilled to portray such a complex character. Having previously worked with him on Serious Men, she reached out to him at an early stage, and once the script was fully developed, they coordinated their schedules to commence filming.

During an interview with PTI, filmmaker Sejal Shah spoke highly of Nawazuddin Siddiqui, considering him her ‘preferred choice’ for roles, and commending his unwavering commitment to acting.

It’s been mentioned that she allegedly stated that teaming up with Nawazuddin could be both rewarding and demanding, not due to complications, but because he establishes such a lofty benchmark that you feel compelled to work with him again and again.

Shah pointed out that Siddiqui doesn’t just embody a role, he breathes life into it in manners that surpass what one might anticipate. Moreover, she praised his readiness to wholly submit to the director’s creative vision, even with his extensive background in acting, as an extraordinary and commendable trait.

During the interview, it appears that the newcomer director Shah mentioned that having Nawazuddin Siddiqui on board as an actor was not only comforting but also a highly collaborative experience for him as a first-time filmmaker.

In the course of the filming, she pointed out that there were numerous instances where they delved deeply into discussing scenes, and during these conversations, Nawazuddin shared his perspectives. However, he consistently emphasized that the ultimate decision was hers. She admired his high level of professionalism and dedication to his art.

Shah mentioned that it took close to a year to secure Costao Fernandes, the true-life character portrayed in the movie, for the biopic. She explained that persuading him wasn’t straightforward, as he had been approached by numerous individuals since 1990.

She labeled Fernandes as an extremely truthful person who firmly stood by presenting authenticity, even when it involved challenging situations. It’s said that he never prompted his team to soften the depiction of his personal relationships or skim over the consequences of a significant adversity in his past.

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2025-05-19 15:09