Exclusive: “He Picked Up My Body Language”, Ujjwal Nikam Praises Rajkummar Rao’s Courtroom Performance

Rajkummar Rao is known for disappearing into the characters he plays, but what happens when the person you are portraying is sitting right in front of you? During an exclusive Sunday Brunch with Curly Tales Editor-in-Chief Kamiya Jani, Rao opened up about meeting veteran public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam while shooting for his upcoming film, Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam. What followed was a rather interesting conversation about courtroom mannerisms, body language, and even why humour sometimes finds its way into a courtroom.

Rajkummar Rao Met Ujjwal Nikam For The First Time On Set

While chatting with Kamiya Jani about preparing for the role, Rajkummar Rao recalled the first time he met Ujjwal Nikam. The actor had already been shooting in character when he finally got the chance to meet the lawyer he was portraying on screen.

Rao explained that Nikam was a busy man, so getting him to visit the set was quite an occasion. When Nikam eventually arrived, Rao was still in his get-up and was thrilled to meet him.

“It was such an honour to meet him,” Rao said, recalling the experience.

But the meeting was not just a star meeting the real person behind his role. Nikam had something interesting to say about Rao’s portrayal.

Ujjwal Nikam Noticed Rajkummar Rao’s Body Language

Kamiya asked about the similarities between the real Ujjwal Nikam and the version audiences will see on screen. That led to one of the most interesting moments of the conversation, as Nikam pointed out something Rao had managed to capture.

“He picked up my body language,” Nikam said.

For Rao, that observation was particularly meaningful. While actors often work on dialogue, costumes and physical transformations when portraying real people, mannerisms can be harder to recreate. A small gesture, posture or change in expression can say as much about a person as their words.

Nikam also acknowledged that Rao had understood the difference in his demeanour inside and outside the courtroom.

Also Read: Exclusive: Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam Reveals What Abu Salem Wrote In A Letter To Him From Jail

“In The Courtroom You Are A Different Person”

The conversation then moved to Nikam’s courtroom persona. Kamiya asked him about the difference between the person people see arguing a case and the person who walks out of the courtroom.

Nikam agreed that the distinction is real. “In the courtroom you are a different person and as soon as you come out of the courtroom, you switch a little,” he explained.

That gave Rao an important detail to work with while building his performance. It was not simply about playing a lawyer. He had to understand how Nikam carried himself when making an argument and how that personality changed once he stepped outside the courtroom.

Watch the full conversation with Rajkummar Rao, Ujjwal Nikam and Kamiya Jani on the Curly Tales YouTube channel, Curly Tales app and now also on Netflix! 

Cover Image Courtesy: Internal

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