Renowned public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has highly praised actor Rajkummar Rao's remarkable performance in the upcoming biographical film Prahaar. Directed by Avinash Arun and releasing on August 7, 2026, the courtroom drama captures Nikam’s high-stakes prosecution of 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab alongside the personal isolation behind the legal headlines.
MUMBAI, India — Veteran public prosecutor and Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam has lauded Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao for delivering a "remarkable performance" in the upcoming biographical courtroom drama Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story. Following the digital release of the film's official teaser on June 25, 2026, Nikam commended the production team for bringing a highly authentic and emotionally grounded narrative to the big screen.
The film, directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Maddock Films, focuses heavily on the high-stakes legal trial of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist captured during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Speaking to the press on June 27, Nikam emphasized that the movie extends far beyond standard courtroom chronologies, highlighting the severe isolation, intense responsibility, and private sacrifices that defined his life away from the media spotlight.
Behind the Courtroom Headlines: A Story of Personal Isolation
While the Indian public remembers the landmark legal victories and ultimate convictions secured by Ujjwal Nikam, Prahaar aims to expose the human cost of managing the nation's most sensitive criminal cases. Over a career spanning decades, Nikam led the state's prosecution in major actions, including the 1993 Bombay serial blasts, the Gulshan Kumar murder trial, and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
According to statements provided by Nikam, the weight of public and state expectations often resulted in profound personal isolation. The legal veteran noted that while newspaper headlines captured the final verdicts, they routinely missed the emotional toll experienced by his family. The biographical drama explicitly details his dual life, balancing high-pressure court arguments against his foundational roles as a husband and a father under constant security threats.
Rajkummar Rao's Rigorous Transformation for the Role
To embody the persona of the Padma Shri-winning prosecutor, Rajkummar Rao underwent a meticulous physical and behavioral transformation. Refusing the use of facial prosthetics to maintain cinematic realism, Rao adapted his body and appearance over months of preparation.
Key elements of Rao's transformation for the film include:
Physical Alteration: Gaining approximately 9 to 10 kilograms to achieve a heavier, middle-aged build.
Aesthetic Adjustments: Thinning his natural hair and adopting Nikam's signature glasses and stubble.
Linguistic Mastery: Undergoing specialized dialect coaching to master a commanding, authentic Marathi-inflected Hindi delivery.
The actor, who previously won a National Film Award for portraying defense attorney Shahid Azmi in the 2013 film Shahid, returns to the courtroom genre with a performance centered on the legal maxim highlighted in the film's teaser: "Killing Kasab was easy, proving who sent him was war."
Ensemble Cast and Production Framework
Prahaar features a highly decorated ensemble cast representing key figures within India's investigative and judicial networks. Joining Rajkummar Rao are prominent actors Jaideep Ahlawat, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Sikandar Kher in pivotal roles.
The project marks another collaborative venture between leading man Rajkummar Rao and producer Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films, following their prior box-office pairings. Director Avinash Arun, celebrated for his grounded, atmospheric storytelling in Paatal Lok and Three of Us, brings a realistic, documentary-style aesthetic to the tense courtroom environments.
Official Sources Section
The production timelines, promotional releases, and biographical commentary regarding Prahaar have been verified by official communications from the following sources:
Quote Section
Reflecting on how his life has been translated to cinema, Ujjwal Nikam expressed his gratitude for the project's commitment to factual and emotional truth.
According to Ujjwal Nikam:
"Rajkummar Rao has delivered a remarkable performance, and Avinash Arun's direction is deeply impressive. Prahaar authentically portrays not only my journey as a public prosecutor but also my life as a husband and a father. I've argued cases where the whole country was watching, and the loneliness of that responsibility is something I never spoke about. This film does. It stays honest to what happened."
Why It Matters
For film enthusiasts and industry investors, Prahaar marks a significant shift away from sensationalized, fictionalized courtroom tropes toward accurate biographical storytelling in Indian cinema. For the broader public, the film provides an educational glimpse into the complex machinery of the Indian judicial system during times of national crisis. It highlights the systemic adherence to the rule of law, demonstrating how India successfully ensured a transparent legal trial for an international terrorist despite overwhelming public grief and anger.
Key Facts at a Glance
Subject Approval: Renowned public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has formally praised Rajkummar Rao’s performance as highly authentic.
Core Subject: The narrative centers on the intense legal battle to prosecute and hang 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab.
Physical Commitment: Actor Rajkummar Rao gained nearly 10 kilograms and thinned his hair to accurately portray Nikam without using prosthetics.
Creative Team: The film is directed by Avinash Arun (Paatal Lok) and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films.
Release Date: Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on August 7, 2026.
FAQ Section
Q: Who is Ujjwal Nikam, the real-life inspiration behind the movie? A: Ujjwal Nikam is an eminent Indian public prosecutor who represented the state in landmark cases like the 1993 Mumbai blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016 and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2025.
Q: When will the movie 'Prahaar' be released in theatres? A: The biographical courtroom drama is scheduled to hit theaters across India on August 7, 2026.
Q: Did Rajkummar Rao use prosthetics to look like Ujjwal Nikam? A: No. The actor opted for a natural transformation, gaining 9–10 kg, eating a high-calorie diet, and thinning his hair to organically capture Nikam's look.
Q: Who else stars in the movie alongside Rajkummar Rao? A: The film features an ensemble cast including celebrated actors Jaideep Ahlawat, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Sikandar Kher in major roles.
Source: Ujjwal Nikam via PTI, Maddock Films Official Desk, PVR INOX Pictures.
