Mumbai, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actors Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi have opened up about the challenges of portraying real-life personalities in their upcoming film Prahaar, with both recalling their initial apprehensions about stepping into the roles of public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam and his wife Jyoti Nikam.
Appearing on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 alongside Ujjwal Nikam, the actors discussed the difficulties of portraying living personalities whose lives and mannerisms are known to the public.
Rajkummar said he was initially nervous when director Avinash Arun Dhaware approached him for the role of Ujjwal Nikam, citing differences in age, physicality and voice.
“Sir, pehli baar jab mujhe Avinash Arun joh humare director hain film ke unhone jab bola ki yeh film ban rahi hain aur Maddock ke sath ban rahi hain toh main darr gaya ki kaise Ujjawalji ka role nibhauga kyuki age ka difference hain, physicality ka difference hain, and awaz ka difference hain,” he said.
The actor said he eventually decided to embrace the challenge, believing that artists need to step outside their comfort zones.
Rajkummar revealed that he watched hours of videos of Nikam on YouTube to understand his mannerisms and voice. He also gained weight to match the public prosecutor’s physicality.
“Ujjawalji ke voice ko pakadna bohot mushkil tha aur fir maine vajjan badaya physicality keliye,” he said.
Wamiqa also admitted that she initially hesitated to take up the role of Jyoti Nikam because she had to portray a 50-year-old woman with grown-up children despite being unmarried herself.
“Sir, inki tarah main bhi darr gayi thi aur maine toh pehle film keliye mana kar diya tha because ek toh I had to play a 50-year-old and meri toh abhi tak shadi bhi nahi hui aur vaha toh baache hain 22-23 saal ke,” she said.
She eventually accepted the challenge, saying she wanted to test herself as an actor. Wamiqa added that she later realised she was portraying a strong and warm person in Jyoti.
Prahaar is a biographical courtroom drama based on Ujjwal Nikam’s professional journey and his involvement in several high-profile criminal cases. Directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, the film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher.
The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on October 16, 2026.
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