Prahaar Movie Review: Rajkummar Rao Shines In An Uneven Courtroom Drama

The story of Ujjwal Nikam and the trial of Ajmal Kasab offers all the ingredients for a gripping courtroom drama. Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam has its moments, and Rajkummar Rao gives it a dependable centre, but the film struggles to sustain the kind of engagement its subject demands.

Rajkummar is sincere and convincing as Nikam, bringing the requisite seriousness to a man entrusted with prosecuting one of the most consequential criminal cases in recent Indian history. He understands the weight of the character and largely resists the temptation to turn the performance into a theatrical display. His courtroom presence is particularly effective when the proceedings revolve around establishing Kasab's identity, circumstances and culpability. The sequence concerning Kasab's claim of being a juvenile offers an opportunity for the film to underline the importance of evidence and legal argument.

Jaideep Ahlawat, despite his limited screen time as Pakistani prosecutor Zulfikar, makes a welcome impression. His presence lends weight to the proceedings, and it is a pleasure to see an actor of his calibre bring authority to even a brief appearance.

The film has other moments that deserve recognition. The recreation of the attack at CST is disturbing, bringing the horror of the 26/11 tragedy back into focus. A post-interval courtroom sequence involving a young girl testifying about the events of that night carries considerable emotional weight. The film also explores the strain Nikam's demanding profession places on his family, adding a personal dimension to a story otherwise dominated by legal proceedings.

Yet these moments do not translate into a consistently compelling film. The courtroom exchanges, which should have been the narrative's biggest strength, do not always maintain their tension. The proceedings occasionally feel more like a retelling of known events than a drama unfolding with genuine urgency. Even when the material is inherently powerful, the storytelling needs to do more to keep the audience invested.

That is where Prahaar falls short. The importance of the case is never in doubt, but the cinematic treatment needed greater momentum and a more sustained emotional grip. Rajkummar's performance deserves appreciation, and Jaideep adds value, but the film around them remains uneven.

Prahaar tells a story that matters, with a lead actor who approaches it with sincerity. Unfortunately, the finished film is more appreciable for its performances and subject than satisfying as a complete cinematic experience.

Rating: 2.5/5