When the 26/11 attacks happened, the news visuals shook the country deeply back then. Even today, watching any footage or film about that night brings back the anger. Because of this, Prahaar – The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam was never going to be an easy watch.
Fortunately, the film does not spend too much time recreating the attacks. Instead, it focuses on the prosecution of Ajmal Kasab that came afterward. This is where the movie is at its absolute best.
The Story
The plot follows Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam (Rajkummar Rao) as he handles the trial. He systematically dismantles Kasab’s defense strategies, including a retracted confession and fake claims of being a minor. The film also shows how Kasab was trained to use tears and silence to manipulate the court. The courtroom scenes are clearly the strongest part of the entire film.
Writing, Direction, and Screenplay
The main problem lies in the scenes outside the court. The film frequently steps away to show Nikam’s family life, including his wife’s health issues and his relationship with his son. While these scenes aim to humanize him, they quickly feel forced and repetitive. They break the momentum of an otherwise gripping courtroom drama.
Additionally, despite being titled “The Untold Story,” very little feels truly new. Most of the trial details are already public record. The script fails to show what was going on inside Nikam’s mind or how carrying the weight of 26/11 affected him personally.
The Performances
Rajkummar Rao gave a phenomenal performance. He brings fire, authority, and energy to his portrayal of Ujjwal Nikam. Jaideep Ahlawat as Chaudhary Zulfiqar, he is excellent and makes every limited scene count. Lalit Prabhakar plays Ajmal Kasab with a chilling, realistic approach instead of a cartoonish villainy. Sikandar Kher plays defense lawyer Abbas Kazmi with dignity and restraint. Diorr Varghese playing a 10-year-old survivor on the witness stand, her innocent testimony creates a devastating moment. Wamiqa Gabbi & Ritvik Sahore deliver convincing performances as Nikam’s wife and son, though their roles feel repetitive. Ashish Vidyarthi brings firm authority as Justice M. L. Tahaliyani.
Final Verdict
Prahaar is a solid legal drama when it stays inside the courtroom. However, frequent family scenes slow down the pace, and it offers very little “untold” information. Rajkummar Rao carries the film brilliantly on his shoulders.
Rating: 2.5/5
