The launch event was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the real-life Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Ujjwal Nikam, lead star Rajkummar Rao, co-star Wamiqa Gabbi, director Avinash Arun Dhaware (Three of Us, Paatal Lok), and producer Dinesh Vijan.
Scheduled to release in theatres on Friday, October 16, 2026, the biographical legal thriller bypasses standard high-octane action tropes to focus entirely on the forensic, legal, and psychological warfare fought inside the courtroom to secure the death penalty for terrorist Ajmal Kasab.
Trailer Breakdown: The Battle Fought in Black Robes
The 2-minute-and-40-second trailer opens with haunting archival echoes of November 26, 2008, before cutting sharply to the sterile, tense atmosphere of a special high-security courtroom:
The Witness Stand: The trailer begins with Rajkummar Rao (as Nikam) gently questioning a young child survivor in court about the night at CSMT, immediately establishing the emotional gravity of the prosecution's burden.
The Strategy Behind the Trial: Rather than relying on cinematic melodrama, the trailer shows Nikam sifting through thousands of pages of ballistic reports, witness testimonies, and cross-border digital intercepts. It highlights his strategic moves to counter international scrutiny, dismantle the defense's narrative, and prove foreign state-sponsored conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt.
The Antagonistic Dynamic: Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher make brief, impactful appearances in the trailer—Ahlawat introducing sharp legal resistance while Kher anchors the investigative enforcement side. Wamiqa Gabbi plays a dedicated junior advocate/researcher working alongside Nikam through sleepless nights under heavy state security.
Launch at CSMT: Honoring 26/11 Victims and First Responders
Choosing CSMT as the venue for the trailer reveal provided a poignant historical backdrop:
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' Remarks: Addressing the gathering, CM Fadnavis stated:
“The world witnessed the bravery of our police and security forces on the night of 26/11. But the battle didn't end that night. A multi-year legal war had to be fought in the courts to ensure that the martyrs got justice and the conspirators were exposed to the globe. Advocate Ujjwal Nikam led that charge with relentless determination.”
Dinesh Vijan on Maddock’s Most Serious Outing: Producer Dinesh Vijan shared personal memories of commuting through CST daily during his college years:
“Mumbai froze on 26/11, but the next morning, the city stood up, boarded these very trains, and moved forward. But resilience doesn't mean we forget. 'Prahaar' is Maddock’s most honest and responsible film to date—a tribute to those who laid down their lives.”
Rajkummar Rao on Channeling Ujjwal Nikam
Rao—who underwent dialect training and observed Nikam’s distinct body language, smile, and tactical courtroom pauses—emphasized authenticity over caricature:
“Playing Ujjwal Nikam sir was a responsibility I felt deeply. He is an iconic public figure whose mind helped navigate one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. I didn’t want to mimic him; I wanted to understand the psychological strain, the moral weight, and the duty of carrying a nation’s collective hope into a courtroom.”
While Raftaar targets mass single screens, Prahaar is positioned to dominate premium multiplexes and metro circuits, riding on director Avinash Arun’s proven ability to craft nuanced, atmospheric realism.
Trade Outlook:
The trailer positions Prahaar as a taut procedural in the vein of Shahid and Article 15. By zeroing in on legal strategy and forensic evidence rather than sensationalized jingoism, the film is poised to capture discerning adult audiences looking for substantive biographical storytelling when it arrives on October 16.
