The last time a film brought back the horror of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks was as recent as it was. Dhurandhar (part one). Another mainstream Bollywood movie today, Prahar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal NikamSet to depict the 2008 terrorist attack that is haunting the entire country. Rajkummar Rao played the role of senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, the film released today.
Next DhurandharLike movies Baby, Major, PhantomAnd Hotel Mumbaiand web series Mumbai Diaries (season one) had the 26/11 attacks as a major plot point. See this year’s release Bharat Bhagya VidhataStarring Kangana Ranaut, which was based on this incident.
But the red screen Dhurandhar It was a bone-chilling reminder of the November 26, 2008 incident when 10 Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants carried out coordinated mass shootings and bomb blasts across Mumbai, killing 166 people and injuring over 300. Ajmal Kasab was the only terrorist caught alive by the Mumbai police after the attacks.
I was at Taj Hotel on 26/11 night with my husband @Ajay_Bagga. We were lucky to escape the heinous terrorist attack that night and survived 14 hours later. The most heart-wrenching scene in #Dhurandhar for me was the red screen where the actual voice recording of the 26/11 terrorists and their handlers was played. To hear what the handlers were instructing the terrorists to do, how cruel, inhumane and despicable it was – I shuddered. To see the scene recreated from the other side—handlers celebrating each bombing and each person killed—if that doesn’t fill us with anger and a renewed commitment to national security, what will? 17 years have passed but the memory of what happened to us and what could have happened shakes me. Big credit to Dhurandhar and its makers @AdityaDharFilms for making sure a whole new generation understands what really happened on 26/11 in just 2-3 minutes. This @RanveerOfficial look will haunt an entire generation. @TajMahalMumbai @AdityaRajKaul @yamigautam #india #life #mumbai #terrorism #films #dhurandhar
— Rajita Bagga (@RajitaBagga) December 16, 2025
Actor Lalit Prabhakar who played the role of Ajmal Kasab beatingshared how the portrayal of 26/11 in his film is different from that Dhurandhar And Mumbai Diaries 26/11.
“this (beating) will present a different picture of attacks (compared to Dhurandhar And Mumbai Diaries). What was not shown in these two movies or series, you will get to see that in this beating. We will see what our real heroes do. Lawyers, police officers and doctors, and what they do for the country,” he told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
We were all “angry” about what happened on the night of November 26, 2008, the actor recalled.
“We were all asking why it took so many years to hang Kasab. He is a terrorist. Why are we using the log?? (We all wondered ‘why are we keeping him alive?’) The children also echoed the anger that was felt everywhere. It was also legitimate. This film will answer the question – why did it take us so long to hang Kasab,” he added.
Is Lalit Prabhakar worried about playing a bad guy in a popular Bollywood film? Not really, he said.
“If I look at the whole picture, we are not in any way portraying a wrong picture (of what happened). We are not giving any wrong message or information. The message we are trying to convey through this film is very important. If we had not shown his character the way he is, the film would not have been complete. Why did it take so many years to get justice?”
on the beatingThe actor worked closely with Rajkummar Rao who plays Ujjwal Nikam in the film directed by Avinash Arun.
“I still haven’t dripped (This was an experience I am not entirely satisfied with). I want to work with him more. He is very sincere and loving towards his work. Maintaining that kind of work ethic for so many years is a big deal.
“His own journey in films is very inspiring for our actors. He came into the industry without any inside help and has made his mark in the industry. The kind of projects he has chosen, the kind of roles he has played, the kind of character and diversity he has shown… he is an inspiration to our actors,” he said while praising his co-star.
After Kasab, Lalit Prabhakar will be seen playing another real-life character in a Marathi film. slope. He will play Dalit poet and Padma Shri recipient Namdeo Dhasal in the biopic.
Also Read | beating Review: Rajkumar Rao is the backbone, Lalit Prabhakar is excellent as Kasab