Rajkummar Rao’s Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam arrived in theatres on October 16, 2026, as a courtroom drama centred on the high-profile prosecution of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving attacker captured after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The film brings a difficult chapter of recent Indian history to the screen through the perspective of public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.
Rao plays Nikam, while Wamiqa Gabbi portrays his wife Jyoti and Lalit Prabhakar appears as Kasab, according to coverage ahead of release. The film is directed by Avinash Arun. Its subject matter gives it a serious tone, and it is likely to draw viewers interested in legal dramas, national history and character-led storytelling.
What the film explores
The case against Kasab became a defining legal proceeding after the coordinated terror attacks in Mumbai in November 2008. A film based on Nikam’s role has to balance the public’s memory of the attacks with the demands of courtroom storytelling. That means translating a complex, widely reported trial into a coherent narrative while retaining the significance of evidence, procedure and the people involved.
Early review coverage from The Indian Express describes Rao’s performance as sincere and focused, highlighting the actor’s effort to convey the prosecutor’s determination. The review frames the courtroom scenes around the emotional burden and public scrutiny of the case. As with any biographical drama, some scenes may be compressed or shaped for cinematic effect, and audiences should distinguish the screenplay from a complete record of legal proceedings.
Performance and storytelling
Rao is known for taking on roles that require detailed character work, and playing a real legal figure presents both opportunity and responsibility. The performance has to communicate conviction without reducing a complicated case to a simple hero-versus-villain formula. Gabbi’s role as Jyoti adds a personal dimension to a story otherwise focused on courtroom and public events.
The larger question for the film is whether its pacing and dramatic structure make the events accessible to viewers unfamiliar with the details of the trial. Courtroom films rely on clear explanations of legal stakes, strong scene construction and tension that comes from evidence rather than only speeches or dramatic music.
Box-office prospects
It is too early to say whether Prahaar will have a long theatrical run. The opening weekend, screen count, audience response, reviews and competition from other releases will shape its performance. Films based on recent history may benefit from public curiosity, but their box-office results depend on execution, word of mouth and how broadly the subject appeals.
Producers and distributors may share initial estimates during the opening days, but verified collection data normally arrives after ticket sales are compiled. Readers should be cautious about early social-media claims that do not specify the source or whether figures represent gross revenue, net collections or advance bookings.
Verdict: Prahaar has a compelling real-world legal subject and a central performance from Rajkummar Rao. Its longer-term theatrical prospects will become clearer after audience response and verified box-office figures emerge.
Sources: The Indian Express and Times of India coverage ahead of the October 16 release.
