Mumbai, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Director: Avinash Arun
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi, Lalit Prabhakar, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, Ashish Vidyarthi
Duration: 140 minutes
Rating: 4.5/5
We all remember 26/11. The images of Mumbai under attack, the fear, the helplessness and the lives lost remain etched in our collective memory. But while the horror of that night is widely remembered, the long legal battle that followed and the people who worked to secure justice often receive less attention. “Justice hurried is justice buried.” These words associated with Ujjwal Nikam capture the essence of Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam. The film takes viewers beyond the tragedy and into the courtroom battle that followed, highlighting the patience, conviction and unwavering faith in the law required to bring those responsible to justice.
Directed by Avinash Arun, Prahaar follows the legal proceedings surrounding Ajmal Kasab’s trial while also touching upon the 1993 Bombay bombings case. However, the film goes beyond courtroom arguments to explore the personal sacrifices of a man whose profession leaves little room for an ordinary family life.
Rajkummar Rao plays Ujjwal Nikam, with Lalit Prabhakar portraying Kasab and Sikandar Kher appearing as Kasab’s defence lawyer. Jaideep Ahlawat plays a Pakistani public prosecutor who comes to India as part of a special council to examine Kasab’s case. Wamiqa Gabbi portrays Nikam’s wife, Jyoti, while Ashish Vidyarthi plays Justice M. L. Tahiliyani.
Rajkummar Rao is the film’s biggest strength. His performance is defined by restraint, from his body language and measured delivery to his firm courtroom presence. He avoids turning every exchange into a dramatic declaration, and this works in the film’s favour. The closing arguments and courtroom confrontations involving Kasab are particularly effective, with Rao conveying Nikam’s conviction without making it feel forced. He also brings the character’s personal struggles into focus, making the contrast between Nikam the prosecutor and Nikam the father an important part of his portrayal.
One of the film’s most emotional threads is Ujjwal Nikam’s relationship with his son, Aniket. So consumed is Nikam by his cases that family life frequently takes a back seat. When Aniket completes his law studies and joins his father as an intern, he hopes to learn from him. But being Nikam’s son earns him no special treatment. His father treats him like any other junior, displaying the strictness of a boss rather than the warmth of a parent.
Their relationship becomes a constant struggle between professional respect and personal longing. Beneath the discipline of the courtroom lies a son seeking his father’s approval and a father who struggles to express his affection. This personal dimension adds emotional depth to the legal drama.
Lalit Prabhakar leaves a strong impression as Kasab, bringing an unsettling quality to the character. His confession monologue towards the end is particularly memorable and lingers in the mind after the scene has passed. Sikandar Kher brings stern restraint to his role as Kasab’s defence lawyer, while Jaideep Ahlawat makes a striking impression as the Pakistani public prosecutor. Ahlawat gives the character a layered presence, adding another dimension to the courtroom proceedings.
Wamiqa Gabbi provides emotional warmth as Jyoti Nikam, reminding viewers of the family living with the consequences of Ujjwal’s demanding professional life. Ashish Vidyarthi also lends weight to the courtroom sequences as Justice M. L. Tahiliyani.
Arun’s direction is measured and assured. Rather than constantly pushing for heightened emotion, he allows the legal proceedings to build their own tension. The writing is sharp, with several exchanges carrying genuine weight without sounding like speeches designed merely to impress. The courtroom scenes remain focused on arguments, evidence and the pursuit of justice, keeping the drama engaging without losing sight of its seriousness.
The background score adds tension to crucial exchanges and gives emotional moments the weight they need without overpowering the performances. This careful balance between legal drama and personal conflict helps the film maintain its emotional impact.
Produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner, Prahaar adds another dimension to a production house that has explored varied genres, from the darker drama of Badlapur and the socially rooted storytelling of Mimi to the horror-comedy universe of Stree. Vijan’s filmography reflects a willingness to back diverse storytelling, while this film shifts the focus to a real-life legal battle and the difficult process of pursuing accountability after a national tragedy. Under Arun’s direction, the story receives a largely sensitive and restrained treatment.
Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam is an absorbing courtroom drama that works because it looks beyond the headlines. Rajkummar Rao anchors the film with a committed performance, while the supporting cast adds depth to the legal battle and its personal consequences. The writing, direction and background score maintain a careful balance between tension and emotion.
Most importantly, the film reminds viewers that justice is not achieved overnight and often comes at a personal cost that remains invisible to the outside world.
Verdict: Prahaar is a compelling courtroom drama worth watching for its performances, emotional depth and portrayal of the long road to justice.
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