Mumbai: Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has given his approval to Rajkummar Rao’s portrayal of him in the upcoming biopic Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, praising the actor’s body language and convincing recreation of his courtroom mannerisms.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2026 on October 10, Nikam said Rao had immersed himself in the role so convincingly that several lawyers who watched the film asked whether the actor had spent time living with him to understand his personality and professional conduct.
Nikam, best known for leading the prosecution in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks trial against Ajmal Kasab, also revealed that he had insisted on avoiding glorification in the film and wanted the real names of the people involved to be retained.
His comments offer a glimpse into the making of the biopic, which seeks to bring the prosecutor’s career and his role in some of India’s most high-profile criminal trials to the screen.
Ujjwal Nikam gives Rajkummar Rao his approval
Discussing Rao’s portrayal of him, Nikam said his first condition for the film was that it should not glorify any individual, including himself.
“My first condition was there would be no glorification of any character, including me. And all the real names would be used,” Nikam said.
He then praised Rao for capturing his mannerisms despite the actor’s own personality being quite different.
“Let me appreciate Mr Rajkummar Rao as he lived like Ujjwal Nikam. My colleagues praised his performance. Many lawyers who watched the film asked me if he lived with me. I said, ‘No, he did not live with me for a single day’,” he said.
Nikam explained that Rao was generally quiet and soft-spoken, making his transformation into the prosecutor particularly striking.
Praising the actor’s body language, he added, “This is Ujjwal Nikam. I certify him completely. He could go to court on my behalf. He can play my role.”
The endorsement from Nikam is a significant vote of confidence for Rao, who is known for adapting his appearance, voice and mannerisms to suit the characters he plays.
Prahaar explores the prosecutor’s career
Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam centres on the life and professional journey of the veteran prosecutor.
Nikam became a prominent figure in the Indian legal system through his involvement in several high-profile criminal cases, particularly those involving terrorism and national security.
His prosecution of Ajmal Kasab following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks brought him national recognition. Kasab was the only attacker captured alive during the attacks, which killed more than 160 people and left hundreds injured.
Nikam represented the state during the trial, presenting evidence and arguments that contributed to Kasab’s conviction and death sentence. Kasab was executed in November 2012 after his legal appeals were exhausted.
The case remains one of the most closely watched criminal trials in modern Indian history, placing Nikam at the centre of the legal proceedings that followed the attacks.
The biopic offers an opportunity to examine not only the high-profile cases associated with Nikam but also the professional responsibilities and courtroom strategies involved in prosecuting serious crimes.
Nikam insisted on avoiding glorification
One of the key details Nikam shared at the conclave was his insistence that the film should avoid glorifying its characters.
His condition suggests that he wanted the story to remain grounded in the events and people it depicts rather than presenting a dramatised version that elevates individuals beyond the facts.
He also said he wanted the real names to be used in the film, underscoring his preference for an account closely connected to the people and cases involved.
Biographical films often balance factual events with cinematic storytelling. Nikam’s comments indicate that authenticity was an important consideration for him during the project.
His praise for Rao was similarly focused on the actor’s ability to reproduce his behaviour convincingly rather than merely resembling him physically.
The fact that lawyers reportedly recognised Nikam’s mannerisms in Rao’s performance appears to have particularly impressed the prosecutor.
Rajkummar Rao leads an ensemble cast
Rao leads the film, which also features Wamiqa Gabbi, Sikandar Kher, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nassar and Ashish Vidyarthi in prominent roles.
The ensemble brings together actors with experience across Hindi and regional cinema, adding to the interest surrounding the project.
For Rao, the role presents a different challenge from portraying fictional characters. Playing a living public figure whose courtroom conduct and professional history are familiar to lawyers requires close attention to speech, gestures, posture and public demeanour.
Nikam’s comments suggest that Rao’s performance has successfully captured several of those details.
The prosecutor’s endorsement could also increase interest in the film among audiences who followed the Kasab trial and other major cases associated with his career.
Further details about the film’s release schedule and the individual roles played by the supporting cast were not included in the comments cited at the conclave.
Rajkummar Rao’s upcoming projects
Rao’s most recent theatrical release, according to the supplied information, was Maalik, directed by Pulkit. The film also featured Prosenjit Chatterjee and Manushi Chhillar in key roles.
The actor is also preparing for another major biographical role. He will next be seen portraying former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in a film titled Dada.
The two projects place Rao in very different real-life roles: one involving a prosecutor associated with landmark criminal trials, and the other centred on one of Indian cricket’s most recognisable figures.
His performance in Prahaar will therefore be closely watched by audiences interested in how he interprets Nikam’s distinctive personality and professional life.
A biopic shaped by courtroom authenticity
Nikam’s endorsement highlights the importance of believable characterisation in a film based on a prominent legal figure.
Rather than focusing only on physical resemblance, his remarks emphasised Rao’s body language and the way he recreated the prosecutor’s courtroom presence. The questions reportedly raised by lawyers who watched the film offered an additional indication of how convincing they found the performance.
For Prahaar, the challenge will be to translate a career shaped by complex criminal trials into a compelling cinematic narrative while maintaining the authenticity Nikam says he sought.
With Rao leading the cast and Nikam publicly expressing confidence in his portrayal, the biopic has drawn attention ahead of its release.
The film is expected to introduce a wider audience to the prosecutor’s professional journey, while Rao’s performance will be central to how that story is brought to life on screen.