The horrific night of 26/11 still shakes people to their core, even 18 years later. While Kangana Ranaut’s film Bharat Bhagya Vidhaata revisited the memories of 26/11 by offering a unique perspective, Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story now explores the same narrative through yet another distinct lens.
This time, the focus is on a courtroom drama centered on prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who prosecuted Ajmal Kasab—a key terrorist involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The question is: does this film, starring Rajkummar Rao, offer a fresh perspective and leave a lasting impact, or does it simply fall back into familiar, repetitive patterns?
Plotline
The story begins with the appointment of lawyer Ujjwal Nikam (Rajkummar Rao) as the public prosecutor following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. As Ujjwal prepares to build a strong case against Kasab, he finds himself facing off in court against Abbas Kazmi—the only lawyer who agrees to represent the terrorist.
At the same time, the film explores Ujjwal Nikam’s personal life, featuring his wife, Bhagyashree (Wamika Gabbi), and his children—a son (Ritvik Sahore) and a daughter. It sheds light on the challenges his family faced while he fought the case against Kasab. Furthermore, the way Ujjwal presents the case in court and fights to secure justice for all the innocent victims is truly worth watching and forms the rest of the story.
Direction
Avinash Arun has presented Ujjwal’s story while fully grasping the gravity of an incident like 26/11—an event that is deeply emotional and stirs intense anger. Prahaar carries no specific agenda—such as ‘India vs. Pakistan’ or religious conflict—but instead serves as a voice for justice.
Screenplay & Dialogues
The film’s first half is exciting; it grips you and builds tension, leading up to a compelling interval. The real kick, however, begins with Jaideep Ahlawat’s entry. While Rajkummar Rao commands attention throughout the film, Jaideep manages to capture the spotlight in his own distinct way.
The second half is also good, but in my opinion, it could have been even better. Writer Sumit deserves special praise for the dialogues; as strong as the narrative is, the powerful dialogues elevate it. The visual presentation of the courtroom, tension, drama, and emotions all hit the right spot.
The storytelling’s strongest point is that the film not only focuses on the 26/11 attack and courtroom sequence but also gives a sneak peek into Ujjwal Nikam’s life, which builds a strong connection, though that part could have been a bit shorter.
A couple of sequences gave me goosebumps, especially when Ujjwal rejects Kasab’s claims of being a juvenile.
Performances
Rajkummar Rao is undoubtedly the film’s strongest part. As Ujjwal Nikam, he keeps you on the edge of your seat. One thing that must be mentioned is that Rajkummar commands the screen—at times, it doesn’t even feel like he’s acting; it feels as though he is simply being himself.
Wamika Gabbi is building her portfolio through her acting, and once again she gives the audience a treat, capturing the essence of the aging woman. Lalit Prabhakar as Kasab is convincing, and Sikandar Kher is excellent. Ashish Vidyarthi as the judge also captures attention.
Verdict
Produced by Dinesh Vijan under the premier Maddock Films banner, Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story is a deeply moving cinematic triumph that you simply cannot look away from. It balances a horrific real-world tragedy with a gripping legal thriller, making it the perfect weekend watch for mainstream cinema lovers.
Our Editorial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
