‘Prahaar’ Movie Review: Rajkummar Rao Shines As Ujjwal Nikam, But 26/11 Courtroom Drama Feels Predictable

The case against Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was built by public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, whose meticulous approach to evidence helped establish Kasab’s guilt beyond doubt.

Rajkummar Rao brings sincerity to his portrayal of Nikam, but Prahaar struggles to move beyond a formulaic retelling. Both its recreation of the horrific night when Mumbai was held hostage by terrorists and its courtroom sequences follow familiar patterns. In court, defence lawyer Abbas Kazmi (Sikander Kher) attempts to dismantle the prosecution’s case under the watchful eye of the judge, played by Ashish Vidyarthi.

Given the number of films and television series already made about 26/11, the challenge was always to offer audiences a fresh perspective. How do you turn a workaholic lawyer, who devotes himself almost entirely to his profession while neglecting his family, into a cinematic hero?

Nikam is presented as a lawyer who believes in collecting every piece of evidence and documenting it meticulously in stacks of government files. His strength lies in patience, procedure and painstaking preparation rather than dramatic courtroom theatrics.

Predictable Family Drama Weakens The Narrative

The film attempts to add emotional depth by exploring the personal cost of Nikam’s dedication to his work. His wife, played by Wamiqa Gabbi, becomes caught in the conflict between her husband and their son (Ritwik Sahore).

The storyline appears intended to show that even accomplished professionals can have personal blind spots. However, these portions feel predictable. The idea of a workaholic father passing on the expectations of his own father to his son could have developed into a more complex emotional conflict, but the film resolves it too conveniently.

Lalit Prabhakar Stands Out As Ajmal Kasab

Ironically, the film becomes more compelling when it turns its attention to its antagonist. Lalit Prabhakar’s portrayal of Kasab gives the character a convincing range of emotions, from calculated cruelty and evasiveness during the trial to a growing awareness of the enormity of his crimes while awaiting his fate in prison.

The depiction of a radicalised young man whose worldview is shaped by ignorance is familiar but effective. In one moment, Kasab asks his prison guard, “Yahaan bhi Eid manaate hain kya?” The exchange offers a glimpse into his limited understanding of the world beyond the one he has been taught to inhabit.

Jaideep Ahlawat Adds Nuance, Film Avoids Jingoism

The exchanges between Nikam and Pakistani legal expert Zulfikar, played by Jaideep Ahlawat, give the film an opportunity to move beyond a straightforward courtroom battle.

A thoughtfully written sequence in which the two men demonstrate mutual respect while reaching an understanding over a feast is among the film’s more engaging moments.

The decision to avoid excessive jingoism is also noteworthy. Rather than reducing the 26/11 attacks to a religious confrontation, the film presents the massacre as a crime against humanity. This approach lends the story a degree of nuance that some of its more conventional elements lack.

Strong Supporting Performances, But Limited Impact

The performances are consistently solid. Ahlawat makes an impression despite his relatively brief appearance, bringing his characteristic intensity to the role.

Ashish Vidyarthi is particularly effective as the judge, delivering a rounded performance that balances judicial precision with empathy. His courtroom presence reinforces the film’s emphasis on due process and the importance of establishing guilt through evidence.

Rao remains sincere as Nikam, but the film’s predictable writing prevents his performance from translating into a more memorable cinematic experience.

‘Prahaar’ Movie Review: Verdict

Prahaar sets out to tell the story of a prosecutor whose methodical pursuit of justice played a crucial role in the trial of Ajmal Kasab. Its strongest moments come from its performances, courtroom exchanges and refusal to rely entirely on nationalist rhetoric.

However, familiar storytelling, predictable family drama and a by-the-numbers treatment of the 26/11 attacks keep the film from reaching its full potential.

Rating: 2/5 stars

Movie: Prahaar

Director: Avinash Arun

Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Lalit Prabhakar, Wamiqa Gabbi, Sikander Kher, Ashish Vidyarthi, Ritwik Sahore and Ajinkya Deo.