Rajkummar Rao wins praise for courtroom performance in 'Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story', but pacing draws criticism

Reactions to 'Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story' have been mixed on social media following the film's theatrical release on October 16, 2026. Several viewers have lavished praise on Rajkummar Rao's portrayal of public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam and on the courtroom drama, while others say the screenplay and pacing let the film down.

The film revisits the legal battles that followed the 1993 Bombay bombings and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Directed by Avinash Arun, the Hindi-language legal drama also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Lalit Prabhakar, Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher. It follows Nikam's efforts to pursue justice after major terror attacks.

Viewers praise the courtroom drama

One viewer who awarded the film four stars called it a "gripping, emotionally charged courtroom drama that shakes you to the core," adding: "Brilliant writing, powerhouse performances, razor-sharp courtroom sequences."

The same reviewer praised director Avinash Arun, writing that his "command over the material, the performances, and the drama is remarkable," and singled out the recreation of Kasab's attack at CST as "chilling." Specific scenes highlighted included the sequence in which Nikam dismantles Kasab's claim of being a juvenile, and the post-interval segment in which a young girl testifies against Kasab.

Rajkummar Rao and supporting cast impress

Another reviewer described Rao as "exceptional as Ujjwal Nikam," adding that he brings "immense conviction and intensity to the role." Lalit Prabhakar's portrayal of Ajmal Kasab was called "outstanding" and "unsettling and controlled," while Wamiqa Gabbi and Jaideep Ahlawat were also praised. The reviewer further noted the performances of Sikandar Kher, Ashish Vidyarthi, Ritwik Sahore, Ajinkya Deo and child actor Dior Ranju Varghese, and said the background score strengthened the tension.

Screenplay and pacing draw criticism

Not all reactions were positive. One viewer wrote that the film "struggles to match" Rao's intensity and "ultimately feels underwhelming," describing the performance as brilliant but the film as disappointing. Another review called the film "DISAPPOINTING," arguing that a serious subject and good intentions were not enough, and said the screenplay "meanders, taking detours that don't add much to the story and allowing the pace to suffer."