Rating: 3 / 5 Stars
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, Lalit Prabhakar, Ashish Vidyarthi
Director: Avinash Arun Dhaware
Runtime: 2 Hours 21 Minutes
The pursuit of justice in the aftermath of a national tragedy is a cinematic subject that demands immense sensitivity, meticulous research, and a grounded narrative. Releasing in theaters today (October 16, 2026), Avinash Arun Dhaware’s Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story attempts to balance these heavy responsibilities. Chronicling the illustrious career of veteran Indian public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, the film heavily pivots around the landmark trials following the 1993 Bombay Blasts and, most prominently, the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
With National Award-winner Rajkummar Rao donning the black coat, Prahaar is a well-intentioned, factual procedural that honors the constitutional fight for justice rather than relying on blind vengeance. However, as the early reviews and audience reactions indicate, while the film boasts powerhouse performances, it occasionally struggles under the sheer weight of its own historical magnitude.
Here is a detailed review and breakdown of what works and what falters in Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story.
The Premise: Justice Beyond Anger
The film serves as both a legal procedural and a biographical sketch. Instead of simply recreating the horrific events of 26/11—which have been covered extensively in past cinema—Prahaar focuses on the aftermath. The narrative shifts the battleground from the bullet-riddled streets of Mumbai to the sterile, high-stakes environment of the courtroom.
At the center of it all is Ujjwal Nikam (Rajkummar Rao), the man tasked with prosecuting Ajmal Kasab (played brilliantly by Lalit Prabhakar), the sole terrorist captured alive. The film takes the audience through the painstaking process of piecing together evidence, countering defense loopholes, and the immense psychological toll such a high-profile case takes on a prosecutor and his family.
What Works: Towering Performances and Restraint
The undeniable anchor of Prahaar is Rajkummar Rao. Known for effortlessly breathing life into the common man, Rao takes a highly calculated approach to playing Nikam. He nails the veteran lawyer’s distinct Marathi-inflected cadence and courtroom mannerisms. There are several standout sequences where Rao commands the screen with absolute authority—most notably, the powerful post-interval sequence where a young girl testifies against Kasab, and Nikam’s razor-sharp cross-examination dismantling the defense’s claim that Kasab was a juvenile.
Matching Rao’s intensity is Lalit Prabhakar as Ajmal Kasab. Prabhakar delivers an outstanding, chilling performance, offering a deeply disturbing glimpse into the making of a brainwashed terrorist. The tense courtroom dynamic between the two actors elevates the film immensely.
Director Avinash Arun Dhaware deserves credit for his restrained approach. Instead of writing overly dramatic, table-thumping monologues typically associated with Bollywood legal dramas, the dialogue by Sumit Roy is sharp, logical, and deeply rooted in legal facts. The film poignantly reminds the audience that justice must be pursued through the Constitution, serving as a solemn tribute to Mumbai’s resilience.
What Doesn’t Work: Pacing Issues and Emotional Disconnect
Despite its strong subject matter and excellent cast, Prahaar is not without significant flaws. The primary villain of the film is its sluggish pacing. The courtroom exchanges, while realistic, sometimes lack the gripping back-and-forth banter required to keep a cinematic audience invested. The film takes far too long to reach its anticipated high points, making the two-hour-and-twenty-one-minute runtime feel slightly exhausting.
Furthermore, Rao’s dedication to mimicking the real-life Nikam occasionally works against him. Some critics noted that his performance sometimes feels a bit too “manufactured” and rehearsed, slightly stripping away the effortless realism he is usually known for.
The screenplay’s biggest misstep, however, is its emotional imbalance. By keeping the spotlight so rigidly fixed on Nikam, the film fails to capture the true, devastating emotional heft of the 26/11 attacks on the victims. The personal subplots also feel undercooked. Wamiqa Gabbi, playing Mrs. Nikam, is unfortunately sidelined with stiff expressions in a role that feels more performed than lived-in, leaving the exploration of Nikam’s family life feeling incomplete.
The Final Verdict
Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story is a story that absolutely deserved to be told. It successfully asks the audience to look beyond the immediate trauma of terror and appreciate the quiet, relentless legal battle that secured justice for a wounded nation.
While it lacks the tight editing and deep emotional resonance required to make it a flawless masterpiece, it remains a highly compelling cinematic experience. For those who appreciate history, grounded cinema, and Rajkummar Rao acting at the peak of his powers, Prahaar is undoubtedly worth your time this weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the plot of Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story?
The film is a biographical courtroom drama that follows the career of prominent public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. It specifically focuses on his legal fight during the 1993 Bombay bombings and his successful prosecution of terrorist Ajmal Kasab following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Who plays Ajmal Kasab in Prahaar?
Actor Lalit Prabhakar delivers a critically acclaimed and chilling performance as the lone surviving 26/11 terrorist, Ajmal Kasab.
Is Prahaar a hit or flop?
Prahaar was released on October 16, 2026. While it faces tough competition at the box office from mass-action films, it is expected to perform well among multiplex audiences due to strong word-of-mouth and positive critical reviews.
Who directed Prahaar?
The film is directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware, known for acclaimed projects like the Marathi film Killa and the web series Paatal Lok.
