BB Desk
Rajkummar Rao’s commitment to getting under the skin of his characters has earned him praise once again, this time from veteran prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam himself. Impressed by the actor’s portrayal of him in Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, Nikam has lauded Rao for capturing his personality, courtroom demeanour, and distinctive mannerisms with remarkable accuracy, despite the two never having met before the film’s shoot.
“He lived my character,” Nikam said, commending the actor’s ability to recreate his presence on screen. The appreciation is particularly significant given that Rao relied entirely on available archival material, interviews, and videos to understand the man he was preparing to portray.
For Nikam, the film is about more than revisiting a significant chapter in his professional life. It is also an opportunity to revisit the events of 26/11 and the responsibility of pursuing justice in the aftermath of one of Mumbai’s darkest moments.
“26/11 is a chapter that Mumbai and our country can never forget. My association with that case was a responsibility I carried with the understanding that behind every file, every piece of evidence, and every argument in court were real lives that had been affected. When Maddock Films approached me about telling this journey on screen, I was naturally thoughtful about it. Today, seeing this story being brought to audiences is an emotional moment for me. I hope Prahaar reminds us not only of the events, but also of the importance of courage, duty, and faith in the pursuit of justice. I think Raj and the whole team have done a fabulous and honest job,” says Nikam.
Interestingly, Rao’s preparation for the role did not involve direct interaction with Nikam before filming began. Aware of the prosecutor’s demanding schedule, the actor chose to build his understanding through extensive research. He watched numerous videos of Nikam’s courtroom appearances and interviews available online, closely observing his voice modulation, physical gestures, expressions, and overall demeanour.
Although he did not have the opportunity to observe the actual court proceedings related to the case, Rao worked with the material accessible to him, using careful observation to recreate Nikam’s distinctive presence. He also underwent a physical transformation, gaining approximately 9–10 kg to more closely resemble the veteran prosecutor.
Speaking about what the role meant to him, Rao emphasised that portraying a real person associated with such a sensitive chapter in Mumbai’s history came with a deep sense of responsibility.
“Playing Ujjwal Nikam was a responsibility I felt deeply in my heart from the very beginning. He is a real person whose work is deeply connected to one of the most difficult chapters in Mumbai’s history. I didn’t want to simply recreate a public figure; I wanted to understand the man behind the name; his conviction and his sense of duty. Working on Prahaar has been a deeply humbling experience, and I hope we have been able to tell his story with the respect it deserves,” shares Rao.
Known for his ability to disappear into vastly different characters, Rao has steadily built a reputation as one of Indian cinema’s most versatile performers. His approach to biographical roles, in particular reflects a willingness to go beyond physical resemblance and explore the experiences, motivations, and personal convictions that shape the people he portrays.
From playing lawyer Shahid Azmi in the National Award-winning Shahid to portraying entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla in Srikanth, Rao has demonstrated a consistent commitment to detailed research and character-driven performances. His upcoming film Dada, in which he is set to portray former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, will see him take on yet another recognisable real-life personality.
With Prahaar, Rao continues this journey of transformation, drawing on research, observation, and physical preparation to bring Nikam’s story to the screen. And with the man himself acknowledging the authenticity of his portrayal, the film’s central performance has already received a meaningful endorsement from the person who inspired it.
