The latest released film ‘Prahaar- The untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam’, explores renowned Public Prosecutor Mr. Ujjwal Nikam’s selfless and committed work in legal battles, surrounding the 2008 Mumbai attackes carried out by 10 terrorists including Ajmal Kasab. The film’s screenplay revolves around the only surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab and his court trial.
Produced by Dinesh Vijan and directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware, the cinematographer turned film director who had earlier done commendable cinematography of Hindi films like ‘Masaan’, ‘Drishyam’, ‘Madaari’, and ‘Hichki’. Having directed films like ‘Killa’( Marathi) and ‘Three of Us’( Hindi), this experience was enough for Avinash to present his latest film ‘Prahaar’ an action filled courtroom drama, very effectively from beginning till the end.
Being a biographical film on renowned Public Prosecutor Mr. Ujjwal Nikam, he did include few emotion filled scenes connected with his personal life. But, he has paid more attention on his sincerity and commitment to his work, while handling this important case. His duty to the country and fight for justice to the family members of victims , is also clearly noticed in few important scenes, when he argues his point before the Justice. The film has avoided the further appeals to High Court and Supreme Court by Kasab after he was sentenced to death by Special Court. Instead, showed his end in Yerawada Jail, where he was hanged.
The lead actor Rajkumar Rao who plays Mr. Ujjwal Nikam in this film has put in his heart and soul into his equally powerful character. Just watch his closing argument before the Justice announces his verdict. He justifies, why Kasab should be hanged till death; because he and his team members had waged a war against Government of India. His emotions are simply superb, as Director Avinash has extracted the best out of him through this most important scene .
Rajkumar Rao finds good support from important artistes like Wamiqa Gabbi, who plays his wife, Ritvik Sahore who plays his son, Pranali Ghogare who plays his daughter, Lalit Prabhakar who plays Ajmal Kasab, Sikander Kher, who plays Defence lawyer Abbas Kazmi for Ajmal Kasab, Jaideep Ahlawat- Pakistan’s reputed Public Prosecutor, Ashish Vidyarthi as Justice M.L. Tahaliyani and others like Nassar, Prasanna Ketkar, Ajinkya Deo, Sandeep Kulkarni, though they find limited roles.
Certainly, a worth watch film,which is action filled captivating courtroom drama.