Who is Lalit Prabhakar? Marathi actor playing Ajmal Kasab in Rajkummar Rao's Prahaar

Marathi actor Lalit Prabhakar essays the role of 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab in Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam. Sharing intense courtroom sequences opposite Rajkummar Rao, Prabhakar brings the high-profile trial to life in the Avinash Arun directorial.

In Short

• Prahaar trailer offers a closer look at Ujjwal Nikam's courtroom battle
• Marathi actor Lalit Prabhakar has an on-screen face-off with Rajkummar Rao
• Prabhakar is known for his dual role in the horror comedy Zombivli (2022)

Marathi actor Lalit Prabhakar steps into the role of 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab in Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam. The Avinash Arun directorial sees Prabhakar sharing intense courtroom exchanges opposite Rajkummar Rao, who portrays Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.

Known for his versatile performances in Marathi television and mainstream cinema — including Anandi Gopal, Hampi, TTMM, and the horror-comedy Zombivli, where he portrayed a dual role — Prabhakar’s casting in Prahaar marks a stark departure into darker territory. Portraying the sole surviving terrorist from the 2008 Mumbai attacks stands as his most intense screen turn to date.

In the trailer, Prabhakar depicts key turning points of the judicial battle, most notably the sequence where Kasab claims to be 17 years old to seek protection under juvenile laws. Adding friction to these courtroom sequences is Sikandar Kher, who portrays Kasab’s defence counsel, arguing that the prosecution’s case is flawed and pushing to transfer the trial to a juvenile court to evade capital punishment.

Speaking on the challenges of stepping into Kasab’s shoes, Prabhakar shared in an interaction with ETimes, "It was a challenge, a very difficult role, for various reasons. Firstly, I had to understand the psychology of Kasab in order to become him on screen and perform accordingly."

"I had to catch the nuances of his language, which is different from ours, and adapt his body language. But more than that, I wanted to do something that even I had never imagined myself doing. I have always wanted to see myself in roles that were never envisioned for me. I like expanding my boundaries," the 39-year-old added.

The trial of Ajmal Kasab remains one of the most high-profile legal proceedings in India’s judicial history. Kasab was captured alive on the night of 26 November 2008 at Girgaon Chowpatty following the sacrifice of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who disarmed him despite being mortally wounded. Over a nearly four-year legal battle under intense global scrutiny, Nikam and the prosecution team meticulously dismantled Kasab’s defence, establishing his direct role in the attacks and securing his conviction, which led to his execution at Pune's Yerwada Central Jail in November 2012.

Produced under the Maddock Films banner, Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam also features Jaideep Ahlawat, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Ashish Vidyarthi in key roles. The courtroom drama is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on October 16.

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