Review: Prahaar: Die Ujjwal Nikam Geschichte ist in einem Streit mit sich selbst

During a promotional interview for the film Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam recounted details from the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the sole surviving perpetrator of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Kasab, who was captured alive, claimed during his court appearance that he had traveled to Mumbai because he was a fan of Bollywood films. Nikam, portrayed by Rajkummar Rao in the film, emphasized that Kasab attempted to downplay his role in the attacks, asserting that his associate Abu Ismail was responsible for the killings. Nikam stated that Kasab admitted his guilt but sought to avoid a death sentence. He refused to accept Kasab's plea and presented extensive evidence against him. This included intercepted communications between the attackers and their handlers, which provided critical insights into the operations during the attacks. For instance, one intercepted call detailed an incident where an attacker was instructed to question a hostage identified as a teacher. The handler ordered the attacker to beat the man after questioning his claims, eventually revealing the hostage was a bank chairman. Nikam noted that the bank chairman initially feared testifying but was encouraged to do so due to the compelling evidence. The film highlights Nikam's broader career, including his role in prosecuting the 1993 Bombay blasts case, where he secured a conviction against actor Sanjay Dutt under the Arms Act. Nikam recalled that Dutt was visibly shaken during the sentencing and had to be taken away by the police. Additionally, Nikam was the prosecutor in the 1997 Gulshan Kumar murder case, where he believed Nadeem Saifi was the mastermind behind the killing. Nadeem, who fled to the UK and later moved to Dubai, avoided facing trial. Nikam also handled the 2006 murder trial of Pramod Mahajan, a prominent BJP leader, where his brother Pravin was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, directed by Avinash Arun, features Rajkummar Rao as Nikam alongside Wamiqa Gabbi as his wife, Jyoti, and Lalit Prabhakar as Kasab. The film delves into Nikam's personal and professional challenges, portraying his dedication to the case despite the toll it took on his family. It also touches upon the complexities of the legal process and the broader implications of the 26/11 attacks. The film includes dramatized accounts of the intercepted communications and the psychological impact on survivors, offering a multifaceted view of the events and their aftermath.