Hansal Mehta Criticizes Box Office Comparisons Between Prahaar and Shahid

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has criticized the comparison between Rajkummar Rao’s latest release, Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story, and his 2013 film Shahid. While both films feature Rao in the lead role and focus on real-life figures and the legal system, Mehta argued that comparing their box-office performance without considering their vastly different budgets and resources is unfair.

Directed by Avinash Arun, Prahaar: The Ujjwal Nikam Story was released in cinemas on October 16 and stars Rajkummar Rao as renowned lawyer Ujjwal Nikam. The comparison arose after a publication published a box-office report contrasting Prahaar with the opening weekend of Rao's earlier courtroom drama.

Reacting via social media, Mehta questioned the relevance of the comparison and pointed out the differences in production scale. He noted that a film made years ago on a modest budget of 75 lakh should not be compared to a much larger production. Mehta expressed his support for Prahaar, stating that it deserves to succeed on its own merits rather than being measured against another film.

Shahid, directed by Hansal Mehta and released in 2013, starred Rajkummar Rao as lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi. The film marked a major turning point in Rao's career, earning National Film Awards for both Rao and Mehta, alongside a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for Rao.