Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Ujjwal Nikam Praises RajKummar Rao’s Portrayal in Prahaar
Prahaar is a film about Ujjwal Nikam, a prosecutor who worked on the 26/11 attack case.
Actor RajKummar Rao plays Nikam in the movie.
Rao prepared by watching recordings of Nikam speaking in court and at public events.
Nikam said Rao performed the role very well.
The film focuses on what happened in court after the attacks, including how prosecutors presented evidence and questioned witnesses.
Nikam said the filmmakers should not make any character seem like a hero.
He also said the movie shows why Ajmal Kasab was given a trial after he was captured.
Nikam sees that trial as an example of following constitutional principles.
Ujjwal Nikam praised RajKummar Rao’s performance, saying he inhabited the character rather than copied him.
Rao studied videos of Nikam’s courtroom appearances and public interactions to prepare for the role.
Nikam said Prahaar focuses on the trial and prosecution of the 26/11 case, not just the attacks.
He said he urged the filmmakers not to glorify any character and described the film as a courtroom drama.
Nikam said the film portrays the decision to give Ajmal Kasab a full trial as an expression of India’s commitment to constitutional principles.
- Who
- Ujjwal Nikam, RajKummar Rao, and the filmmakers behind Prahaar.
- What
- Nikam discussed Rao’s portrayal of him and the film’s focus on the courtroom trial following the 26/11 attacks.
- When
- Not specified in the article.
- Where
- The Free Press Journal office.
- Why
- The filmmakers wanted to depict the prosecution, evidence, and trial process rather than make a conventional film centered on the attacks.
Trial and due process
Questions raised at the time
What should happen to a captured attacker?
Trial and due process
Nikam said the decision to give Ajmal Kasab a full trial demonstrated commitment to constitutional principles.
Questions raised at the time
Nikam recalled that people questioned why Kasab was not simply killed after being captured alive.
How to portray the story
Trial and due process
Nikam said the film should focus on the legal battle and should not glorify any character.
Questions raised at the time
The filmmakers initially approached Nikam with a specific concept, and he cautioned that an advocate’s life might lack conventional 'filmy masala.'
- Film
- Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam
- Actor portraying Nikam
- RajKummar Rao
- Director
- Avinash Arun
- Production company
- Maddock Films
- Producer mentioned
- Dinesh Vijan
- Subject
- The prosecution and courtroom trial following the 26/11 terror attacks
- Nikam’s view of the trial
- Giving Ajmal Kasab a full trial reflected India's commitment to constitutional principles