User Rating: 3.08/5
- Average Rating: 3.08/5
- Positive Score: 100% (as listed)
- Total Reviews Counted: 8
- Positive Reviews: 5
- Neutral Reviews: 3
- Negative Reviews: 0
Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story: Critics’ Reviews and Ratings
Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story revisits the legal battle surrounding the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the prosecution of Ajmal Kasab. Featuring Rajkummar Rao in the lead role, the film explores the pursuit of justice through the perspective of prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.
The film has received mixed-to-positive responses from critics. While several reviewers have praised the performances and the film’s serious approach to a significant chapter in India’s history, others believe the screenplay could have delivered greater emotional depth and a more compelling courtroom drama.
Here is a look at what leading critics have said about Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story.
1. Komal Nahta – Filminformation
Rating: Not specified
Komal Nahta describes Prahaar as an entertaining film with a strong nationalist appeal. However, he points out several challenges that could affect its box-office performance, including its appeal to urban audiences, audience fatigue with films about the November 2008 terror attacks, and a disappointing opening.
Despite these concerns, Nahta believes the film deserves better commercial results than it may ultimately achieve.
Read the full review on Filminformation.
2. Shubhra Gupta – The Indian Express
Rating: 2.5/5
Shubhra Gupta appreciates the film’s performances, particularly Jaideep Ahlawat’s brief but memorable appearance. She also highlights Ashish Vidyarthi’s portrayal of a judge, praising the balance of precision and empathy he brings to the courtroom.
However, Gupta feels that the film’s overall execution lacks energy. Although the performances remain convincing, the narrative feels heavy and restrained, preventing the drama from reaching its full potential.
Read the full review on The Indian Express.
3. Saibal – NDTV
Rating: 3/5
Saibal views Prahaar as a film about the power of the legal system and its role in delivering justice. According to the review, the film largely maintains a measured approach rather than relying on exaggerated courtroom confrontations or dramatic flourishes.
Its strength lies in staying focused on its central purpose. While the story contains moments of intensity, it also attempts to present the legal battle with restraint, giving the film a more balanced tone.
Read the full review on NDTV.
4. Sana – India Today
Rating: 3/5
Sana believes the film does not fully capture the emotional impact of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The review argues that the story should extend beyond Ujjwal Nikam’s courtroom battle to acknowledge the attackers, the victims and the wider human tragedy.
Although the subject carries enormous emotional weight, the film concentrates heavily on its central prosecutor. As a result, it struggles to convey the full magnitude of the events it portrays.
The review suggests that a story of this importance needed a stronger emotional connection with the audience.
Read the full review on India Today.
5. Rishabh – Hindustan Times
Rating: 3/5
Rishabh finds Prahaar compelling in its choice of subject but less consistent in its storytelling. The film revisits one of the darkest chapters in India’s recent history and follows the legal fight for justice, yet its frequent diversions sometimes weaken the narrative.
The review also highlights the film’s struggle to balance courtroom proceedings with Ujjwal Nikam’s family life. By attempting to cover both aspects without exploring either deeply enough, the film loses some of its dramatic momentum.
Nevertheless, Rishabh believes the film comes close to doing justice to its subject, even if it falls short of the emotional and narrative impact the story demands.
Read the full review on Hindustan Times.
6. Moneycontrol – Movie Review
Rating: 3/5
Moneycontrol focuses on the film’s portrayal of the legal proceedings that led to Ajmal Kasab’s conviction and eventual execution. While the case itself provides a strong foundation for a courtroom drama, the review suggests that the film does not explore Ujjwal Nikam’s personal and professional struggles in sufficient detail.
The pressure of handling such a high-profile trial and its impact on his family could have added greater depth to the character. Instead, the film often feels more like a retelling of an important legal case than an intimate portrait of the prosecutor behind it.
Read the review via The Indian Express.
Note: The supplied link appears to lead to a different film review, so the source URL should be verified before publication.
7. Sakshi – India TV
Rating: 2.5/5
Sakshi acknowledges the film’s sincere intentions and praises the performances of Rajkummar Rao, Lalit Prabhakar and Anupam Kher. These performances lend weight to a story rooted in a major historical event.
However, the review argues that the subject deserved a tighter screenplay and a more gripping courtroom narrative. Although the film revisits an important legal battle and pays attention to the people connected with it, its execution does not consistently match the significance of the story.
Overall, Sakshi considers the film worth watching for its subject and performances, while finding its courtroom drama less engaging than expected.
Read the full review on India TV.
Final Verdict: Is Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story Worth Watching?
The critical response to Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story highlights a clear contrast between its subject matter and its execution. The film takes on a significant legal battle connected to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, offering viewers a look at the prosecution that helped bring Ajmal Kasab to justice.
Rajkummar Rao and the supporting cast have received praise for their performances, while the film’s restrained approach to courtroom drama has also found appreciation among some critics. However, concerns about the screenplay, pacing and emotional depth appear repeatedly across the reviews.
For viewers interested in real-life legal cases, courtroom dramas and stories about India’s recent history, Prahaar may be worth considering. Those expecting an emotionally powerful account of the 26/11 attacks or a consistently gripping courtroom thriller may find it less satisfying.
Ultimately, the film’s subject gives it considerable weight, but the reviews suggest that its storytelling does not always do justice to the scale of the events it revisits.
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