Wamiqa Gabbi on prosthetics for Prahaar: 'Forgot my real appearance'
Synopsis
Wamiqa Gabbi didn't just wear prosthetics for Prahaar — she says she forgot her own face in the process. Playing 50-year-old Jyoti Nikam while in her 30s, the actress describes how the makeup chair became the place where the character truly came alive, hinting at one of Bollywood's more demanding physical transformations this year.
Key Takeaways
Wamiqa Gabbi plays Jyoti Nikam , a 50-year-old character, in Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam using extensive prosthetic makeup.
Gabbi said she 'couldn't recognise' herself after the prosthetics were applied and temporarily forgot her real appearance on set.
The film is directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films .
The cast also includes Rajkummar Rao , Jaideep Ahlawat , Lalit Prabhakar , and Sikandar Kher .
The film covers public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam's role in legal proceedings tied to the 1993 Bombay bombings and 2008 Mumbai attacks .
Actress Wamiqa Gabbi has revealed how transformative prosthetic makeup became a gateway into her character for the upcoming legal drama Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, sharing that the experience of watching her face change in the makeup chair made her temporarily lose sight of her own reflection.
The Mirror Moment
Gabbi, who is in her 30s, plays Jyoti Nikam, a woman in her 50s, in the film — a transformation that required extensive prosthetic work. 'The first time I saw myself in the mirror after the prosthetics were done, I couldn't stop staring! It was such a strange feeling because I knew it was me, but I couldn't quite recognise the person looking back,' the actress said. She added that the entire process of getting into the look was what she truly savoured.
Character Becomes Real in the Chair
'You sit in the makeup chair, watch your face slowly change, and somewhere along the way, the character starts feeling more real to you. There were moments when I'd forget how different I looked until someone showed me a picture from the set,' Gabbi said. She described playing Jyoti Nikam as a 'very different experience,' noting she was glad to explore a side of the craft she had not encountered before.
About the Film
Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam is a legal drama directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films. The film delves into the role of public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam in the legal battles surrounding the 1993 Bombay bombings and the 2008 Mumbai attacks — two of the most consequential criminal cases in Indian legal history.
Stellar Cast
Gabbi stars alongside Rajkummar Rao, Lalit Prabhakar, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Sikandar Kher in the film. Known for her work in films such as Bhooth Bangla and Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Gabbi continues to push range with a role that demands both physical and emotional reinvention. The film marks a significant departure for the actress, and expectations are high given the weight of the real-life story it is based on.
Point of View
And Gabbi's account points to a production that is investing seriously in physical authenticity — a signal about Maddock Films' ambitions for Prahaar beyond standard courtroom-drama fare. The pairing of Rajkummar Rao and Jaideep Ahlawat alongside a physically transformed Gabbi suggests the film is positioning itself as an ensemble prestige project. Whether the finished film matches the craft behind the makeup chair remains to be seen, but the buzz around Gabbi's transformation could drive early audience curiosity in ways that trailer campaigns alone rarely achieve.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Wamiqa Gabbi playing in Prahaar?
Wamiqa Gabbi plays Jyoti Nikam, the wife of real-life public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, in Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam. The role required her to portray a woman in her 50s while she is in her 30s, achieved through extensive prosthetic makeup.
What is Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam about?
Prahaar is a legal drama that explores public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam's role in the legal battles surrounding the 1993 Bombay bombings and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. It is directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films.
Who are the other actors in Prahaar?
The film stars Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi, Lalit Prabhakar, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Sikandar Kher. Rajkummar Rao is expected to portray Ujjwal Nikam, the central figure of the story.
How did Wamiqa Gabbi prepare for the role of Jyoti Nikam?
Gabbi relied heavily on prosthetic makeup to physically inhabit the character. She has described the makeup chair experience as transformative — watching her face change gradually made the character feel increasingly real to her, to the point where she would forget her own appearance on set.
Which production company is behind Prahaar?
Prahaar is produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, the banner known for projects across genres including horror-comedy and social drama.
