‘Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story’ has received mixed reactions on social media following its theatrical release on October 16, 2026. Several viewers have praised Rajkummar Rao‘s portrayal of public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, along with the courtroom drama and supporting performances. However, some reviews have criticized the screenplay, pacing and overall execution. The film revisits the legal battles following the 1993 Bombay bombings and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.While some viewers believe the film effectively recreates the tension of the courtroom, others feel its writing prevents the subject from reaching its full potential.
‘Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story’ Twitter review: First reactions praise courtroom drama
Prahaar Review | Rajkummar Rao Brilliant, But Film Disappoints! Rajkummar Rao gives a powerful performance in Prahaar, but the film around him struggles to match his intensity and ultimately feels underwhelming.(Prahaar Review, Prahaar Movie Review, Rajkummar Rao, Rajkummar Rao Prahaar, Bollywood Movie Review, Hindi Movie Review, Rajkummar Rao Performance, Prahaar Film)#Prahaar #RajkummarRao #MovieReview #Bollywood #HindiCinema— Amit Bhatia (@amitbhatia1509) October 15, 2026One viewer awarded the film four stars, highlighting its writing, performances and courtroom sequences. The review read, “#Prahaar: POWERFUL.Rating:Some stories MUST be told – this is one of those… Gripping, emotionally charged courtroom drama that shakes you to the core… Brilliant writing, powerhouse performances, razor-sharp courtroom sequences. #PrahaarReviewWe have read the news reports… We have watched the news bulletins… We have followed the developments surrounding the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks… But what makes #Prahaar a compelling cinematic experience is its gripping portrayal of what unfolded inside the courtroom, how the prosecution pieced together the evidence, and above all, how #UjjwalNikam fought to bring the perpetrator to justice.”
‘Prahaar’ Twitter review: Avinash Arun ‘s direction earns praise
The same reviewer commended the director’s approach to the story and its emotional moments. The post stated, “Director #AvinashArun deserves the highest praise… His command over the material, the performances, and the drama is remarkable… The tension, arguments and counter-arguments, along with the sensitive father-son relationship, are seamlessly woven into the narrative, making those 2 hours and 20 minutes thoroughly engaging... The taut screenwriting is one of the biggest strengths of #Prahaar.The recreation of Kasab’s barbaric attack at CST, where innocent people were killed and wounded, is chilling and evokes a range of emotions – anger, grief, helplessness, heartbreak, and profound sadness.”The review added, “A few unforgettable moments in the narrative also deserve a special mention [without spoilers] –The sequence where Ujjwal Nikam dismantles Kasab’s claim of being a juvenile
The powerful pre-interval block
The post-interval sequence in which a young girl testifies against Kasab, reliving the horrors of that fateful night
The finale
Brilliant writing. Brilliant acting. Brilliant execution.”Rajkummar Rao and supporting cast impressAnother review highlighted the lead actor’s intensity and praised Lalit Prabhakar’s portrayal of Ajmal Kasab. The viewer wrote, “#RajkummarRao is exceptional as #UjjwalNikam… Powerful, commanding, and razor-sharp, he brings immense conviction and intensity to the role… Yet another remarkable performance from an actor who is, without doubt, among the finest talents in the business.#LalitPrabhakar as Kasab is outstanding… Unsettling and controlled, he avoids unnecessary histrionics, delivering a portrayal that leaves a lasting impression.#WamiqaGabbi makes her presence count in a narrative dominated by intense legal proceedings… #JaideepAhlawat is flawless, as always, lending weight and authority to the drama.”The reviewer also praised Sikandar Kher, Ashish Vidyarthi, Ritwik Sahore, Ajinkya Deo and child actor Dior Ranju Varghese. The background score received appreciation for strengthening the tension, with the review concluding, “Final word? A must-watch experience!”Despite the positive comments about the cast, another viewer felt the film did not match its lead actor’s performance. The review stated, “Prahaar Review | Rajkummar Rao Brilliant, But Film Disappoints! Rajkummar Rao gives a powerful performance in Prahaar, but the film around him struggles to match his intensity and ultimately feels underwhelming.”
‘Prahaar’ Twitter review: Screenplay and pacing disappoint some viewers
A separate review criticized the film’s storytelling, arguing that its important subject was not enough to sustain the narrative. The post read, “#PrahaarReview: DISAPPOINTING. Sometimes, a film can have a serious subject and good intentions but still fail to connect with its audience. #Prahaar unfortunately falls into that category. Not just the actors, even director #AvinashArun feels out of depth from start to finish, unable to do justice to such a crucial story.The writing is a major reason for this disconnect. The screenplay meanders, taking detours that don’t add much to the story and allowing the pace to suffer.”Directed by Avinash Arun, the Hindi-language legal drama features Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi, Lalit Prabhakar, Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher. The story examines Ujjwal Nikam’s efforts to pursue justice after major terror attacks.
