Rajkummar Rao Gains 9-10kg for Ujjwal Nikam Biopic

Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao recently revealed details of his physical transformation for the biopic Nikam, in which he portrays public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, sparking widespread admiration for his commitment to authentic performances. The announcement came via an Instagram post on February 16, shortly after Rao appeared at the Bolti Khidkiyaan Short Film Festival in Mumbai, where his noticeable weight gain, patchy beard, and receding hairline drew concern from fans on social media.

Rao explained that he gained approximately 9 to 10 kilograms to embody Nikam, a prominent lawyer known for handling high-profile cases including the 1993 Bombay bombings and the Gulshan Kumar murder. He emphasized his aversion to prosthetics, stating, "I'm not a believer in prosthetics as long as I can achieve the look through my hard work." To achieve the change, Rao followed a high-calorie diet featuring pizzas, sweets, aloo parathas, and biryani, while also thinning his hairline despite resistance from his stylist. He has wrapped shooting for the film, directed by Avinash Arun, which is slated for release in late 2026.

The transformation follows a pattern in Rao's career, where he has...