When the director of Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam first suggested Rajkummar Rao for the lead, the man whose life is being filmed had a simple question. Ujjwal Nikam, the lawyer who prosecuted Ajmal Kasab after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, did not know who Rajkummar Rao was.
From ‘Who is this Rajkummar?’ to a set-visit fan
Speaking to NDTV, Nikam said that when director Avinash Arun told him Rajkummar Rao would play him, he immediately asked, “Avinash ji, who is this Rajkummar?” Avinash then walked him through Rajkummar’s career and performances. Still curious, Nikam visited the film’s set to watch the shoot.
The visit changed his mind. Nikam said he was impressed after watching the actor perform and meeting him in person. “He is down-to-earth and simple. He doesn’t have that star tantrum. He’s a real actor,” he said, adding that the director had chosen the right actor.
Rajkummar, for his part, has said he did not spend time with Nikam before the shoot and instead watched videos of him to prepare for the role.
The conditions behind the biopic
Nikam has also spoken about the rules he set before allowing the makers to tell a significant chapter of his life. In an interaction with India Today, he listed what he wanted:
- No glorification of any character, including himself.
- Real names of everyone who participated in the legal proceedings.
- No-objection certificates from the people involved, including judge Mr Madan Laxmandas Tahaliyani.
Those conditions suggest the film may lean toward a courtroom record rather than a larger-than-life version of the trial.
Why the ground rules matter
For celebrity watchers, the casting story is more than a fun anecdote. It tells us something about how Prahaar is being framed. This is not a star vehicle first; it is built around a legal figure whose name carries weight in Mumbai. By asking for real names and no glorification, Nikam drew a clear line about how the trial should be represented.
Rajkummar’s preparation also points in that direction. He has said he chose to study Nikam’s videos rather than spend time with him before filming, letting the public record shape the performance.
The film around the man
Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam is produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films. The cast includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher and Marathi actor Lalit Prabhakar, who plays Ajmal Kasab. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on October 16, 2026.
The proof of those choices, and the conditions Nikam set, will arrive when the film opens this week.
Source: Hindustan Times
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