Maddock Films has released the first teaser for Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story, featuring Rajkummar Rao as the renowned special public prosecutor. The courtroom drama revisits one of India’s most significant legal battles – the prosecution of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
The teaser, released on June 24, 2026, shows Rao demanding the death penalty for Kasab, questioning why the terrorist was not immediately punished despite clear evidence. The film, directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan, is scheduled to release in cinemas on August 7, 2026.
Rajkummar Rao Transforms Into Ujjwal Nikam in Intense Teaser
The teaser opens with Rajkummar Rao dressed in a lawyer’s robes, delivering a powerful dialogue: “In the past year and a half, because of this case, many people have repeatedly asked me—when photos and videos clearly show what happened, why are we not hanging Kasab?”
Actor Rajkummar Rao, who won the National Film Award for playing a lawyer in Shahid, has once again stepped into a deeply immersive role. The teaser highlights his physical transformation, body language, and his attempt at Marathi diction, which adds authenticity to the portrayal.
One of the most impactful moments in the teaser references Inspector Sanjay Govilkar, the police officer who was shot by Kasab during the attacks. Rao’s character argues in court: “For a moment, put yourself in Inspector Govilkar’s place on the night of 26/11, the officer who was shot by Kasab. Obviously, he would have been filled with anger. And when Kasab was finally caught alive, Inspector Govilkar did not say, ‘Shoot him, finish him off quickly.’ Instead, he said, ‘Yala maru naka’ (Don’t kill him). Why did he say this? The answer is very simple: India.”
The teaser builds towards the climax with Nikam demanding: “That is why, for the crime of waging war against India, I, Ujjwal Nikam, demand that Ajmal Amir Kasab should be hanged till death.”
Director Avinash Arun Brings the High-Stakes 26/11 Trial to Screen
Directed by Avinash Arun, known for his acclaimed work in Paatal Lok and Three of Us, the film promises a realistic and emotionally charged courtroom drama. The supporting cast includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, and Tarun Sharma in key roles.
The film draws inspiration from the professional journey of Ujjwal Nikam, one of India’s most prominent special public prosecutors. Over more than three decades, Nikam has handled several landmark cases including the 1993 Bombay serial blasts, the Gulshan Kumar murder case, the Pramod Mahajan murder case, and the 2013 Mumbai gang rape case.
The Real Story Behind the Ajmal Kasab Trial
On November 26, 2008, ten heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan carried out coordinated attacks across Mumbai, targeting landmarks including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and Nariman House. The attacks lasted nearly 60 hours, leaving more than 160 people dead and hundreds injured.
Ajmal Kasab was the only attacker captured alive. A special court convicted Kasab on May 3, 2010, finding him guilty of 80 offences. The Bombay High Court upheld the sentence in 2011, followed by the Supreme Court in August 2012. After his mercy petition was rejected by the President of India, Kasab was executed by hanging at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune on November 21, 2012.
Ujjwal Nikam, who led the prosecution for the state, received the Padma Shri in 2016 for his contributions to the legal field. In 2025, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of his distinguished career.
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Key Details About the Case That Captivated the Nation
The teaser has also brought renewed attention to a lesser-known chapter of Nikam’s career. In 2015, Nikam publicly admitted that he had fabricated the now-famous “mutton biryani” story associated with Kasab.
Explaining his decision, Nikam described an incident during the proceedings when Kasab appeared emotional in court. With media speculating about the terrorist’s feelings, Nikam gave a statement claiming Kasab had demanded mutton biryani in jail. He later acknowledged the claim had no basis, saying, “The truth is that Kasab neither asked for biryani nor it was served”.
The admission reignited debate because the “biryani” narrative had become one of the most enduring public myths surrounding Kasab’s imprisonment.
Prahaar – The Ujjwal Nikam Story is set to release in cinemas worldwide on August 7, 2026. The teaser, attached to theatrical prints of Cocktail 2, has already generated significant buzz online, with viewers praising Rao’s transformation and the film’s intense courtroom drama approach.
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