When Kasab claimed to be 17: Rajkummar Rao's Prahaar trailer highlights 26/11 trial

The trailer for Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam traces the courtroom battle over Ajmal Kasab's trial. It foregrounds the juvenile defence twist and India's insistence on due process after 26/11.

In Short

• The trailer of Prahaar depicts 26/11 trials
• The film shows Ajmal Kasab claiming he was a minor
• Prahaar features Rajkummar Rao in the lead role

The official trailer for Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam has been released, offering a courtroom-centred perspective on the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Shifting focus away from the tactical ground response during the 2008 siege, the film details the high-stakes legal battle led by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to bring sole surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab to justice.

Helmed by director Avinash Arun and produced under the Maddock Films banner, the film stars Rajkummar Rao in the lead role, capturing the systemic challenges and international media scrutiny surrounding the historic trial.

The trailer opens with a haunting voiceover recalling the terror that unfolded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on the night of 26 November 2008, before transitioning into the judicial proceedings. Facing immense public expectation, Nikam is reminded that he represents the entire nation on a global stage.

A central narrative pivot in the trailer involves Kasab’s attempt to evade prosecution under standard criminal law by claiming innocence and asserting he was a minor at the time of the attacks. Kasab claims he arrived in Mumbai as a tourist to see actor Amitabh Bachchan's residence before being detained, dropping the claim that he was 17 years old. The strategy, led by his defence counsel (played by Sikandar Kher), seeks to transfer the proceedings to a juvenile court, where conviction carries a maximum three-year sentence rather than capital punishment.

Nikam counters the defence's arguments by highlighting India's adherence to constitutional due process, emphasising the distinction between democratic legal frameworks and state-sponsored terrorism.

Alongside Rao and Kher, Prahaar features an ensemble cast including Jaideep Ahlawat as part of a visiting diplomatic delegation, Ashish Vidyarthi as the presiding judge, along with Wamiqa Gabbi and Nassar in prominent roles.

Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on October 16.

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