by Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam is a Hindi courtroom drama starring Rajkummar Rao as public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. Directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan, the film centres on the prosecution of Ajmal Kasab following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The film was released in Indian theatres on October 16, 2026. Its critical response highlights a clear point of difference: NDTV praised the film for maintaining its focus on the legal case, while Hindustan Times felt that the courtroom drama sometimes lost momentum when it shifted towards Nikam’s family life. Both publications awarded it three stars.
This article compares those assessments, identifies the film’s main cast and verified production details, and reports the available box-office and streaming information.
Prahaar (2026): Movie Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full title | Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam |
| Release date | October 16, 2026 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Biography, drama |
| Director | Avinash Arun |
| Lead actor | Rajkummar Rao |
| Producer | Dinesh Vijan |
| Production company | Maddock Films |
| Runtime | 2 hours 21 minutes |
| Certification | UA 16+ |
| OTT status | No streaming service confirmed in the sources checked |
The runtime, language and certification match the BookMyShow listing. The certification is also recorded in the Central Board of Film Certification’s listing.
Prahaar Cast and Characters
The film’s central roles connect the prosecution of Kasab with the personal and professional challenges surrounding Nikam.
Rajkummar Rao as Ujjwal Nikam: The public prosecutor at the centre of the story.
Wamiqa Gabbi as Jyoti Nikam: Nikam’s wife, whose family life is affected by his demanding career.
Lalit Prabhakar as Ajmal Kasab: The captured terrorist whose trial drives the courtroom narrative.
Sikandar Kher as Abbas Kazmi: A dramatised defence-lawyer character in the film.
Jaideep Ahlawat as Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali: A Pakistani prosecutor who features in the legal and political dimensions of the story.
Ashish Vidyarthi: Plays the judge, according to the Hindustan Times review.
Ritvik Sahore as Aniket: Nikam’s son.
Avinash Arun directed the film, with Sumit Roy credited for writing and screenplay work. Charu Shree Roy handled editing, Pritam Chakraborty composed the music, and Alokananda Dasgupta contributed the background score. The production is associated with Maddock Films.
Sources: BookMyShow, NDTV review and Hindustan Times review.
Prahaar Story: The Legal Battle at Its Centre
The story follows Ujjwal Nikam’s work as a public prosecutor in the case against Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving attacker captured during the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rather than retelling the attacks primarily through action, the film focuses on the legal process that followed.
The courtroom proceedings also create a conflict beyond the prosecution’s attempt to secure a conviction. The defence lawyer must represent an accused person despite intense public anger, while Nikam must pursue the case through legal procedure rather than public sentiment alone.
The film also follows Nikam’s family life. Hindustan Times notes that his wife and children have to contend with his prolonged absence as he devotes himself to demanding cases. This gives the story a second strand: the cost of a high-pressure professional life on the people closest to the central character.
The portrayal is dramatised, so the film should not be treated as a substitute for historical reporting or legal records. One notable distinction identified by NDTV is that the film combines multiple real-life defence lawyers into the fictionalised character played by Sikandar Kher. That is relevant for viewers interested in how the film adapts the historical record.
Prahaar Movie Review: NDTV vs Hindustan Times
NDTV and Hindustan Times both awarded Prahaar three stars, but their reviews differ in emphasis. The distinction is not simply that one critic liked the film and the other disliked it. Both recognised its strengths; they differed in how successfully those strengths hold together across the full story.
What NDTV Praised
NDTV critic Saibal Chatterjee described Rajkummar Rao’s performance as the backbone of the film and praised Lalit Prabhakar’s transformation into Kasab. The review also highlighted the film’s measured treatment of the legal process, arguing that it keeps the proceedings focused rather than turning every courtroom moment into an exaggerated confrontation.
Another important point in the review is the film’s treatment of the defence lawyer. The story recognises that representing an accused person is part of the legal system, even when public opinion is overwhelmingly hostile. This adds a legal and ethical dimension to the conflict instead of presenting the courtroom as a simple contest between heroes and villains.
NDTV’s overall assessment is that the film largely stays on course. Read the full NDTV review.
What Hindustan Times Criticised
Hindustan Times critic Rishabh Suri also praised Rao’s performance, but found the film less consistent when it moved between the courtroom case and Nikam’s family life. The review describes the film as occasionally caught between a gripping legal drama and a family saga.
The criticism is more specific than a general complaint about pacing. It concerns how the film allocates attention between its central case and the personal story surrounding its lead character. The family material provides context, but the review argues that some narrative detours weaken the momentum established by the legal proceedings.
Read the full Hindustan Times review.
What the Two Reviews Mean for Viewers
The reviews agree on two main points: Rao is a major strength, and the film has a compelling real-life case at its centre. Their difference lies in the overall execution. NDTV sees the film’s restraint and focus as strengths, while Hindustan Times believes the movement between legal proceedings and family drama occasionally reduces its impact.
For viewers, that means Prahaar may be more appealing if they are interested in the legal process, performances and ethical questions surrounding a high-profile trial. Those expecting an uninterrupted courtroom thriller may be more sensitive to the narrative shifts identified by Hindustan Times.
This comparison is based on the published reviews, not a claim of first-hand viewing.
Prahaar Box Office Collection
Bollywood Hungama’s box-office page lists the following opening-weekend figures for Prahaar:
| Collection category | Reported amount |
|---|---|
| Friday, October 16 | ₹2.20 crore |
| Saturday, October 17 | ₹3.25 crore |
| Sunday, October 18 | ₹3.50 crore |
| Opening weekend, India net | ₹8.95 crore |
| India gross | ₹10.65 crore |
| Worldwide gross | ₹11.60 crore |
Source: Bollywood Hungama box-office report.
These figures are estimates published by the source, which notes that its box-office data is compiled from multiple sources and may be approximate. The ₹8.95 crore figure refers to India net collections for the opening weekend; ₹10.65 crore is the listed India gross, and ₹11.60 crore is the listed worldwide gross. They represent different collection categories and should not be compared as if they were the same measure.
The Indian Express separately reported approximately ₹9.15 crore for the first three days. Because the reported totals differ, this article uses Bollywood Hungama’s category-labelled breakdown consistently rather than combining figures from different reports.
These are opening-weekend figures, not a final lifetime total. Later collections may change the picture.
Prahaar OTT Release Date and Streaming Platform
As checked on October 19, 2026, JustWatch’s India streaming page for Prahaar did not list a confirmed online streaming provider and indicated that the film remained available in cinemas.
No OTT platform or release date is stated here as confirmed. The page can be updated when a streaming service or the production company makes a reliable announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Prahaar released?
Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam was released in theatres on October 16, 2026.
Who plays Ujjwal Nikam?
Rajkummar Rao plays public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.
Who directed Prahaar?
Avinash Arun directed the film, which was produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films.
What is Prahaar about?
The film dramatises the legal proceedings against Ajmal Kasab following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, focusing on prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam and the people affected by his demanding career.
What was Prahaar’s opening-weekend collection?
Bollywood Hungama lists ₹8.95 crore in India net collections, ₹10.65 crore India gross and ₹11.60 crore worldwide gross for the opening weekend. These are source-reported estimates.
Is Prahaar available on OTT?
As of October 19, 2026, the JustWatch India listing did not show a confirmed streaming provider. Check the listing and official announcements for changes.
Final Verdict
The critical debate around Prahaar centres on its storytelling rather than the importance of its subject. NDTV values its focus on the legal process and its lead performances; Hindustan Times sees the family narrative as a source of occasional distraction. That difference gives prospective viewers a more useful basis for deciding whether the film suits their tastes than a simple recommendation would.
For factual details, the movie listing and CBFC record provide the release, runtime and certification information, while the linked box-office report identifies its collection categories. OTT information remains subject to change as new announcements appear.
