Prahaar – The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam brings the courtroom battle against Ajmal Kasab to the big screen. The trailer launched on September 29, 2026, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai, one of the sites attacked on November 26, 2008. Rajkummar Rao plays veteran public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who led the case that ended with Kasab’s death sentence. The film releases in theatres on October 16, 2026, produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films and directed by Avinash Arun.
Key Facts
- Film: Prahaar – The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam
- Lead Actor: Rajkummar Rao as Ujjwal Nikam
- Director: Avinash Arun
- Producer: Dinesh Vijan (Maddock Films)
- Release Date: October 16, 2026 (theatres)
- Trailer Launch: September 29, 2026, at CSMT Mumbai
- Supporting Cast: Wamiqa Gabbi, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, Ashish Vidyarthi, Lalit Prabhakar, Ritvik Sahore, Nassar
- Trial Period Covered: 2009 to 2012, from sessions court to Supreme Court
What Is the Prahaar Film About?
Prahaar follows the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial through the eyes of Ujjwal Nikam, the special public prosecutor who represented the state against Ajmal Kasab. The film focuses on the courtroom proceedings rather than the attack itself. Nikam told Hindustan Times that the film is “essentially a film about the court proceedings” and that audiences “won’t see any sensationalisation of a character”.
Two and a half years of research went into the film, including the story and what was said during the court proceedings. Nikam said it will show “what actually happened in the courtroom and how we dealt with the challenges during the trial”. Real names have been used in the film, including that of the judge, to ensure authenticity.
The trailer opens with Rajkummar Rao’s voice asking, “Do you remember the attack on CST station on the night of 26th November?” A girl responds, “I can never forget that night.” The courtroom scenes then show Nikam questioning witnesses and building the case against Kasab.
When Does Prahaar Release in Theatres?
Prahaar releases in theatres on October 16, 2026. The film was earlier scheduled for August 7, 2026, but was postponed to October. Maddock Films announced the new date in August 2026. The film will be available in cinemas across India and major international markets.
Dinesh Vijan, who produced the film, recalled his personal connection with CSMT at the trailer launch. He said he used to travel from the station to college before the 2008 attacks.
Who Is in the Prahaar Cast?
Rajkummar Rao leads the cast as Ujjwal Nikam. Wamiqa Gabbi plays Jyoti Nikam, Ujjwal’s wife. Lalit Prabhakar plays Ajmal Kasab. Jaideep Ahlawat appears as part of a delegation from Islamabad. Sikandar Kher plays a lawyer representing Kasab. Ashish Vidyarthi plays the judge overseeing the proceedings. Ritvik Sahore and Nassar also appear in key roles.
In the trailer, Sikandar Kher’s character argues that the case is “full of holes,” while Rao’s Nikam counters, “I will demolish all stories by the terrorist’s lawyer”. Jaideep Ahlawat’s character, representing the Pakistani delegation, says, “Boys like Kasab aren’t born like this. They are manufactured by the system”.
What Did Ujjwal Nikam Say About the Kasab Trial?
Nikam said the trial against Kasab was not a trial against one terrorist but a legal battle against Pakistan. “A total of 10 terrorists were sent from across the border to target Mumbai and its innocent citizens. They were all one group and it was a trial against all of them,” he told Hindustan Times. “Through evidence, we established a state-backed larger conspiracy”.
The biggest challenge was Kasab’s repeated lies. He claimed he was a minor, said he was given poison, and tried to disassociate himself from the group of 10 terrorists. Data was retrieved with help from an FBI laboratory. The police worked round-the-clock to bring evidence against Kasab and Pakistan.
Nikam also addressed his widely discussed “biryani” comment during the trial. He clarified that Kasab never demanded biryani, nor was it served. The larger problem was that focus had shifted to Kasab instead of the victims, so the prosecution had to change that atmosphere.
What Was the Timeline of the Ajmal Kasab Trial?
The trial in the 26/11 attacks started on May 6, 2009. Exactly a year later, on May 6, 2010, the sessions court awarded the death penalty to Kasab. He appealed to the Bombay High Court, which decided on the appeal in May 2011. The Supreme Court upheld the decision in September 2012.
Kasab was executed in November 2012 at Yerwada Jail in Pune. Nikam explained that the trial took time because every piece of evidence had to withstand scrutiny at different stages. “Our constitutional processes allow an accused to appeal in higher courts,” he said.
What Did Devendra Fadnavis Say at the Trailer Launch?
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the trailer at CSMT on September 29, 2026. He said the film carries a message beyond entertainment. “Perhaps if we wanted, we could have killed Kasab. We could have shot him. But our police and our judicial system very thoughtfully showed the world that India is a state where we can take action against terrorists,” Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis credited Nikam with exposing the conspiracy behind the attacks. “The final justice was that the world accepted Pakistan was a terrorist nation; the world accepted that this was state involvement,” he said. He also named police officers who died during the attacks, including Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar, and Tukaram Omble.
How Does Prahaar Handle the Trial Without Dramatisation?
Nikam said the film is “entirely based on the court proceedings and arguments from both sides during the trial. There is no dramatisation.” The makers even researched how he walks and talks. The director, Avinash Arun, heard the arguments in court and later discussed the material with Rajkummar Rao.
The trailer shows the legal rights afforded to Kasab during the trial, including his constitutional right to legal representation. Rao’s character says, “Here, even a terrorist is protected by the Constitution. There, terrorism is the Constitution”. Towards the end, Kasab claims he was “only a tourist” who had come to explore Mumbai and was tortured into being portrayed as a terrorist.
Did Ujjwal Nikam Praise Rajkummar Rao’s Performance?
Nikam has praised Rajkummar Rao’s performance in the film. In June 2026, he said the actor brought his life story to the screen with “honesty and sincerity” and that the film “authentically portrays not only my journey as a public prosecutor”. Rao’s transformation into Nikam is one of the highlights of the trailer, with attention to his appearance, body language, and Marathi dialogue delivery.
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What Did Ajmal Kasab Claim During the Trial?
Kasab made several shifting claims during the trial. Nikam recalled that Kasab first claimed to be a minor, later gave different accounts of how he reached Mumbai, alleged he was being poisoned, and eventually sought to make a confessional statement, only to deny responsibility in it. In the trailer, Kasab is seen taking the witness stand and claiming he was a tourist who had come to explore Mumbai when the attacks took place.
Nikam also revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 that Kasab had claimed he came to Mumbai to meet Amitabh Bachchan. The actor responded, “Hum goli maar dete usse” (We would have shot him).
Also Read: Who Is Lalit Prabhakar? Know The Marathi Actor Playing Ajmal Kasab in Rajkummar Rao’s Prahaar
Prahaar – The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam arrives in theatres on October 16, 2026, bringing a courtroom-focused account of one of India’s most significant terrorism trials to the big screen.
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