Ujjwal Nikam Says Prahaar ‘Shows What Actually Happened’ in Kasab’s Trial After 26/11: ‘No Sensationalisation’

Veteran public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has praised the makers of Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, saying the film attempts to present his experience during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case and the subsequent trial of Ajmal Kasab in an authentic manner.

The biographical drama stars Rajkummar Rao as Nikam and is directed by Avinash Arun. The film focuses on Nikam's role as the special public prosecutor in the prosecution of Kasab, the lone surviving attacker captured during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

‘Prahaar shows what actually happened’

Nikam has said that the film remains close to the realities of his professional and personal journey. According to his comments, Prahaar does not simply focus on courtroom arguments or the final verdict but also explores the pressure and personal sacrifices associated with handling cases that attracted nationwide attention.

Nikam previously described the film as an honest portrayal of experiences that remained largely away from public view. He said that while people remember the verdicts, they rarely know about the difficult nights and personal burden behind such cases.

The prosecutor has also praised Rajkummar Rao's performance, saying the actor successfully captured both his professional journey and his life away from the courtroom.

Kasab trial forms a major part of the film

The 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case is at the centre of Prahaar. The film revisits the legal proceedings against Ajmal Kasab, who was captured alive after the attacks.

The teaser released earlier this year showed Rajkummar Rao portraying Nikam during the courtroom proceedings. It also included references to the evidence presented during the trial and the questions surrounding the prosecution of Kasab.

Nikam was the special public prosecutor who led the prosecution in the case. His courtroom role became one of the most closely followed aspects of the legal proceedings following the November 2008 attacks.

Film also explores Nikam’s life beyond the courtroom

According to Nikam, Prahaar goes beyond the high-profile cases that made him a familiar public figure. The film also examines his family life and the personal impact of handling major criminal prosecutions.

Nikam has said that the responsibility of arguing cases watched closely by the entire country could be isolating, an aspect of his life that he had not previously discussed publicly in detail.

The film therefore combines courtroom events with a portrayal of the person behind the public prosecutor's image.

Rajkummar Rao leads the cast

Rajkummar Rao portrays Ujjwal Nikam in the film, with Wamiqa Gabbi, Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher also appearing in key roles. Prahaar is directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Maddock Films.

The film's teaser has already generated attention for its focus on the Kasab trial and Rao's portrayal of the veteran prosecutor. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 7, 2026.

Ujjwal Nikam’s role in the 26/11 case

Nikam has handled several high-profile criminal cases during his career, including the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case and the 26/11 terror attacks case. Prahaar uses the latter as one of its central narrative threads while also attempting to show the professional and personal pressures surrounding the prosecution.

The film's makers have presented it as a story based on true events, while Nikam's own comments indicate that he sees the project as an attempt to bring lesser-known aspects of his journey to the screen.