'Prahaar' Review: Rajkummar Rao delivers a masterclass in courtroom drama on Ujjwal Nikam's 26/11 Case

It has been nearly 18 years since the horrific 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, but the memories of that dark chapter in India's history continue to haunt us. While we know how the attacks unfolded and how they were executed, the legal battle that led to the execution of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist, remains relatively less explored. Director Avinash Arun’s latest film, ‘Prahaar: The untold story of Ujjwal Nikam’, attempts to shed light on precisely that.

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A courtroom drama starring Rajkummar Rao in the lead, ‘Prahaar’ is based on the life and work of Ujjwal Nikam, the public prosecutor who fought the case against Kasab and secured his death sentence. The film hit theatres on Friday.

Even before its release, ‘Prahaar’ sparked speculation about whether it would turn into a propaganda-driven narrative. But does the movie live up to those concerns, or is it a story that every Indian should watch?

The film opens with Nikam dissatisfied with the verdict in the 1993 Bombay blasts case, believing he had failed to expose the larger network behind the attacks. He gets another opportunity to prove himself when he is appointed public prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case. Opposing him in court is advocate Abbas Kazmi (Sikander Kher), who represents Kasab.

As the courtroom drama unfolds, what may initially seem like an open-and-shut case turns out to be more complicated than expected. Nikam leaves no stone unturned to build a watertight case, but Kasab’s retraction of his confession to the police, his claim of being a minor, and his attempts to derail the proceedings throw up several challenges.

The film’s strength lies not just in its lead actor’s performance, but also in director Avinash Arun’s vision and the writing team’s efforts, particularly Sumit’s beautifully crafted dialogues. While one might expect ‘Prahaar’ to be packed with chest-thumping moments, the film largely steers clear of such tropes. Instead, it stays true to its identity as a courtroom drama, focusing on the intricacies of the legal battle and the proceedings that ultimately shaped the case.

While the first half keeps you hooked, the film begins to lose its way in the second half. Given that ‘Prahaar’ is based on Nikam’s life, exploring his world outside the courtroom, including his family dynamics, makes sense. However, this is precisely where the narrative begins to falter.

Nikam’s family life takes up considerably more screen time in the second half than the courtroom proceedings. In trying to balance his professional life with his role as a family man, the movie feels stretched and loses some of its momentum.

Coming to the performances, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that roles such as Shahid Azmi and Ujjwal Nikam seem tailor-made for Rajkummar Rao. He doesn’t merely slip into the character but once again proves why he is regarded as one of the finest actors in recent times, capable of convincingly pulling off roles across genres.

He is ably supported by Sikander Kher, who impresses as the defence lawyer, and Wamiqa Gabbi, who plays Nikam’s wife and delivers a fine performance. Lalit Prabhakar, who portrays Kasab, is equally convincing, bringing a sense of conviction to his portrayal.

Overall, ‘Prahaar’ is not just a well-crafted film but also a reminder of the legal battle that led to Ajmal Kasab’s death sentence and the efforts that went into bringing the terrorist who was among those who executed the 26/11 carnage to justice.

Rating: 3/5