Some films transcend the boundaries of their genre and give the audience an experience that is remembered for a long time. Courtroom drama is also a genre, where the thrill is not only from the debate in the court, but from the struggle of the person fighting for justice. ‘Prahar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam’ brings out this side. The film also depicts the legal challenges faced by Ujjwal Nikam post 26/11 and the turmoil in his personal life. This is why the focus of the film is not only on the case and its verdict, but also on the person whose life is constantly changing in the midst of this battle.

While the entire country was in shock after the horrific attacks of 26/11, the real battle began behind the courthouse doors. This is the story of the historic legal battle, where on one side was the case of the dreaded terrorist Kasab and on the other side was the responsibility of bringing justice to the entire country. How public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam fought this seemingly impossible battle based on hard evidence and strong arguments and brought the biggest culprit of terrorism to justice, ‘Prahar’ narrates this struggle for truth and justice in very simple and straightforward terms.

After this, a big court battle started in the court, which held the breath of the entire country. ‘Prahar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam’ is not an ordinary courtroom drama but a mind game where every word decides life and death.

At the center of this high-voltage game stands Rajkummar Rao, whose cool and collected gaze creates an eerie silence in the courtroom that outweighs any tumult. The on-screen tension reaches its peak when the unease of the face standing in the dock (Lalit Prabhakar) and the moves of Sikandar and Jaideep Ahlawat as lawyers come face to face.

Avinash Arun’s direction and Dinesh Vijan’s (Maddock Films) visuals keep you engrossed in the story in such a way that you are forced to guess at every next moment what will happen next. With camera silences, a heartbreaking background score and an untold fire burning between relationships, this film will keep you on the edge of your seat till the end.

The film is a must watch not only because it depicts the historic legal battle that followed the 26/11 attacks, but also because it beautifully portrays the sacrifice and struggle of a true hero. Rajkummar Rao’s smooth and hair-raising acting without any extra drama is the real life of this story. Along with the suspense of the courtroom, the film also touches on the untold pain of a person’s personal life and family relationships, which are often ignored in the name of service to the country. If you love movies based on great acting, strong content and original stories that rock the country, ‘Prahar’ is a cinema experience you shouldn’t miss.

Director: Avinash Arun
Cast: Rajkumar Rao, Wamika Gabi, Lalit Prabhakar, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, Ashish Vidyarthi
Duration: 140 minutes
Rating: 4