Ujjwal Nikam is known for the kind of courtroom stories that have made headlines for decades. But on Sunday Brunch with Kamiya Jani, the mood was far removed from a courtroom. As Rajkummar Rao, who is set to portray Nikam in the upcoming film Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, joined Kamiya for a tour of his home, they got to see the prosecutor away from the files, cases and courtroom arguments. And his house? It is basically a scrapbook of the life he has lived.
Rajkummar Rao & Kamiya Jani Get A Tour Of Ujjwal Nikam’s Mumbai Home
The tour starts right outside the lift.
The first thing you see is a Sai Baba idol, and before going any further, Rajkummar Rao, Kamiya Jani and Ujjwal Nikam stop to take blessings. Ujjwal Nikam speaks about his deep faith in Sai Baba and how he likes taking his blessings. It is a small moment, but one that immediately gives you a sense of the person behind the public image. Before entering the house, there is a pause. A blessing. Then, the tour continues.
And just next to Sai Baba is another rather emotional piece of Ujjwal Nikam’s life: a sculpture of his late dog, Marshall.
Marshall was extremely close to Ujjwal Nikam and has since passed away. The sculpture keeps his memory alive, and while talking about him, Ujjwal drops a detail nobody probably expected to hear on a house tour. He reveals that he used to be a dog trainer.
Yes, the man known for prosecuting some of India’s most notorious criminals also trained dogs. Life really does come with random twists.
The tour then opens up into Nikam’s family life. Rajkummar Rao and Kamiya Jani meet his family members, and the house suddenly feels much less like the residence of a celebrated prosecutor and much more like a place where a very large family gathers, talks, laughs and simply exists together. There is a lot of warmth, and Ujjwal Nikam clearly seems happiest when the conversation moves from his professional life to the people around him.
But the house also holds reminders of the cases that defined his career.
Also Read: Exclusive: Ujjwal Nikam Feeds Rajkummar Rao A Jalgaon Maharashtrian Thali On Sunday Brunch
The Prosecutor’s Home Also Holds Memories Of His Landmark Cases
Ujjwal Nikam shows the guests a reward he received from an organisation after the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts case. He also has a Kolhapuri Ambe Mata murti that he received after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
They carry the weight of particular moments in his life and career.
Then, the trio heads towards the balcony.
The view is gorgeous, but Kamiya Jani gets more interested in the story behind the home. Ujjwal Nikam reveals that he moved here in 2013. Before that, he lived in a hotel in Mumbai and would travel to Jalgaon every Saturday and Sunday. The journey took nearly eight hours.
When Kamiya Jani asks him whether he likes Mumbai now, Nikam’s answer is refreshingly matter-of-fact. He says he isn’t in Mumbai all that much anyway. His work takes him across Maharashtra, with cases in Pune, Satara and several other places.
So while the balcony may offer a beautiful Mumbai view, Ujjwal Nikam’s life still seems to happen everywhere except in one fixed spot. His home, meanwhile, holds the people, memories, faith and stories that have travelled with him.
Also Read: Exclusive: Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam Reveals What Abu Salem Wrote In A Letter To Him From Jail
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal
FAQs
Who is Ujjwal Nikam?
Ujjwal Nikam is a renowned Indian public prosecutor known for handling several high-profile criminal cases, including the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts and 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks cases.
Who is playing Ujjwal Nikam in Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam?
Rajkummar Rao is set to portray Ujjwal Nikam in the upcoming film Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam.
What was Ujjwal Nikam’s dog named?
Ujjwal Nikam’s dog was named Marshall. During the house tour, he showed Rajkummar Rao and Kamiya Jani a sculpture dedicated to his late pet.