by Table of contents
Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam is an upcoming Hindi courtroom drama starring Rajkummar Rao as prominent Indian public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. Directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, the film explores the professional and personal journey of a lawyer associated with several high-profile criminal cases.
The movie’s trailer focuses on the legal battle following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, particularly the prosecution of Ajmal Kasab. It also promises to explore the responsibilities and personal pressures associated with Nikam’s career. The makers have scheduled the theatrical release for October 16, 2026.
Prahaar Movie Release Date
Release date: October 16, 2026.
Maddock Films’ promotional material confirms the October 16 theatrical release. The trailer was released on September 30, 2026, introducing Rajkummar Rao’s portrayal of Ujjwal Nikam and giving audiences a glimpse of the film’s courtroom confrontations.
The movie is positioned as a biographical legal drama rather than a conventional action thriller. Its main dramatic tension comes from courtroom arguments, evidence, legal strategy and the events surrounding major criminal investigations.
Prahaar Movie Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full title | Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam |
| Release date | October 16, 2026 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Biographical drama / Courtroom drama |
| Director | Avinash Arun |
| Producer | Dinesh Vijan |
| Production company | Maddock Films |
| Lead actor | Rajkummar Rao |
| Lead actress | Wamiqa Gabbi |
| Supporting cast | Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, Ashish Vidyarthi, Lalit Prabhakar, Ritvik Sahore |
| Story focus | Ujjwal Nikam’s professional and personal journey |
| Official trailer | Released September 30, 2026 |
| Official budget | Not publicly confirmed |
| Final critic rating | Not available before release |
The release date, director, producer and principal cast are confirmed in the film’s official trailer information and current entertainment reporting.
Prahaar Cast and Characters
| Actor | Character or role |
|---|---|
| Rajkummar Rao | Ujjwal Nikam |
| Wamiqa Gabbi | Jyoti Nikam |
| Jaideep Ahlawat | Supporting role |
| Sikandar Kher | Supporting role |
| Ashish Vidyarthi | Supporting role |
| Lalit Prabhakar | Ajmal Kasab |
| Ritvik Sahore | Supporting role |
The film’s promotional coverage identifies Rajkummar Rao as Ujjwal Nikam and Lalit Prabhakar as Ajmal Kasab. Wamiqa Gabbi’s character is identified in film stills as Jyoti Nikam. The remaining role descriptions should be updated when the filmmakers publish fuller character information.
Prahaar Storyline
The story focuses on Ujjwal Nikam’s career as a public prosecutor and the legal battles that brought him national recognition. Its central dramatic thread involves the prosecution following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The trailer highlights the courtroom proceedings involving Ajmal Kasab, the sole attacker captured alive following the attacks. It also points to the difficult questions raised during the trial, including Kasab’s claim that he was underage.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on courtroom arguments, the movie is also expected to explore how Nikam’s professional responsibilities affected his personal and family life. This gives the narrative two connected dimensions: the public search for justice and the private pressures faced by the prosecutor.
Why is Prahaar different from a conventional courtroom drama?
Many courtroom films build their stories around a fictional case. Prahaar draws on a real legal career and significant criminal proceedings in modern Indian history.
Its potential strengths include:
- A central character based on a real public prosecutor.
- High-profile legal cases that many Indian viewers already recognise.
- Courtroom confrontations built around evidence and legal strategy.
- The relationship between a demanding career and family life.
- A performance-driven role for Rajkummar Rao.
The film will need to balance dramatic storytelling with an accurate representation of real people and legal events.
Is Prahaar Based on a True Story?
Yes. The movie is based on the life and career of Ujjwal Nikam, who served as a special public prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks trial. The film also draws on other prominent cases associated with his legal career.
However, it remains a dramatic film. Specific dialogue, scene construction and personal interactions should not automatically be treated as exact historical records unless independently documented.
For an entertainment website, this distinction is important: the real cases provide the historical foundation, while the finished film presents a selected dramatic interpretation.
Prahaar Budget
The production budget has not been officially disclosed in the sources cited here.
| Budget information | Current status |
|---|---|
| Official production budget | Not announced |
| Production house | Maddock Films |
| Producer | Dinesh Vijan |
| Break-even target | Not announced |
| Box-office collection | Not available before release |
Although courtroom dramas may not need the same scale of visual effects as large action films, production cost still depends on shooting schedules, cast fees, courtroom sets, locations and post-production requirements. Without a verified report, an exact budget estimate should not be presented as fact.
Prahaar Trailer and Promotional Campaign
The official trailer premiered on September 30, 2026. Its promotional line centres on the idea that evidence and truth, rather than weapons, are the tools through which Nikam pursues justice.
The footage focuses on Rajkummar Rao’s transformation into the public prosecutor and the legal proceedings surrounding the Mumbai attacks case.
Watch the official trailer: Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam
The trailer provides useful material for a pre-release article, but it does not establish the film’s final critical reception.
Latest Prahaar News
1. Official trailer released
Maddock Films released the trailer on September 30, 2026, revealing more of the film’s courtroom-driven narrative and Rajkummar Rao’s lead performance.
2. Rajkummar Rao’s preparation for the role
Recent coverage has highlighted Rao’s work to reproduce Nikam’s mannerisms and Marathi-speaking style. The role has attracted attention because it requires him to portray a real legal professional rather than a fictional courtroom hero.
3. Release date confirmed for October 16
The official promotional materials list October 16, 2026, as the theatrical release date. Audiences should check cinema listings for showtimes and local availability.
Prahaar Reviews and Rating
As of October 9, the movie has not yet reached its scheduled theatrical release. Therefore, its final critics’ consensus, audience score and box-office performance remain unknown.
| Platform | Status before release |
|---|---|
| IMDb | Final audience rating not established |
| Rotten Tomatoes | Final critics’ score not established |
| Metacritic | Final score not established |
| Audience reviews | Awaiting release |
| Box office | Awaiting release |
The trailer has generated discussion around the central performance and subject matter, but trailer responses should not be reported as final reviews of the film.
Prahaar Expectations
Prahaar may appeal to audiences interested in legal dramas, real-life crime stories and character-centred performances.
Its strongest selling points are the public profile of Ujjwal Nikam, the significance of the legal cases portrayed and Rajkummar Rao’s lead role. The film’s personal dimension could also prevent the story from becoming a succession of courtroom scenes without emotional continuity.
Its principal challenge is historical responsibility. The filmmakers must keep the legal proceedings understandable while presenting real events with appropriate accuracy and sensitivity. The movie’s reception will depend on how convincingly it balances fact-based storytelling with dramatic structure.
Prahaar FAQs
Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam is scheduled to release in cinemas on October 16, 2026.
Rajkummar Rao plays Ujjwal Nikam.
Avinash Arun directed the film.
Lalit Prabhakar portrays Ajmal Kasab in the film.
Yes. It is based on Ujjwal Nikam’s life and career, including legal proceedings following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Wamiqa Gabbi is a principal cast member and portrays Jyoti Nikam, according to film stills.
The official production budget has not been publicly confirmed in the cited sources.
Yes. The official trailer was released on September 30, 2026.
Final critic and audience ratings should be updated after the theatrical release.
The movie follows Ujjwal Nikam’s legal career, with particular attention to the prosecution following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the personal pressures connected to his profession.
About Author
