Rajkummar Rao to Star as Ujjwal Nikam in ‘Prahaar’, CM Calls Film a Message, Not Mere Entertainment

Rajkummar Rao will portray veteran public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam in the upcoming film Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam. The trailer was unveiled on Tuesday at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis attended the launch and praised the project. He thanked Maddock Films for choosing a story centered on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the legal battle that followed. Fadnavis highlighted that the film is not just entertainment but carries a message about the nation’s response to terrorism. He quoted, "Perhaps if we wanted, we could have killed Kasab… our police and judicial system showed the world India can act against terrorists." The chief minister thanked Ujjwal Nikam for securing a death sentence for the terrorist and exposing the conspiracy behind the attack, calling it state‑sponsored terrorism linked to Pakistan. He also honored the sacrifices of officers Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar and Tukaram Omble, noting their role in delivering justice. The actor‑director team includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher in key roles. The film is directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner. It is slated for a theatrical release on October 16. Fadnavis urged the audience to watch the film, likening its message to the historical drama “Chhaava” about Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Context

The 2008 26/11 attacks were a coordinated series of bombings and shootings in Mumbai that shocked the nation. The subsequent trials, led by prosecutors such as Ujjwal Nikam, became a landmark example of India’s legal response to terrorism.