‘Three days were scary’: Rajkummar Rao on 26/11 terror attacks at 'Prahaar' trailer launch

Rajkummar Rao recalls moving to Mumbai just months before 2611 terror attacks during Prahaar trailer launch in Mumbai (Image Credits IMDb)

Rajkummar Rao got candid about his personal memories of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks at the trailer launch of 'Prahaar: The Untold Story Of Ujjwal Nikam', held fittingly at CSMT Railway Station.

Rao recalled having just moved to Mumbai months before the attacks, spending three terrifying days glued to the television with his roommates and the wave of relief he felt once terrorist Ajmal Kasab was finally captured.

Rajkummar Rao recalls 26/11 experience at 'Prahaar' trailer launch

According to the Free Press Journal, Rajkummar Rao spoke about his personal memories of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks at the trailer launch of 'Prahaar: The Untold Story Of Ujjwal Nikam'. The event was held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, one of the locations targeted during the 2008 attacks.Recalling the period, Rajkummar said he had moved to Mumbai from Pune after completing film school and was trying to establish himself as an actor. "February mein Mumbai shift hua tha Pune se, film school ke baad mein, (I moved to Mumbai from Pune in February, after finishing film school)" he said.

The actor added that he was regularly stepping out to look for work before returning home at night. "Un dino kaam dhundh rahe the to daily bahar jaate the, raat ko ghar wapas aate the, (In those days, I was looking for work, so I used to go out every day and return home at night)" he recalled.

Rajkummar Rao recalled watching the attacks and being 'very very scar for three days'

Rajkummar said he was living with two friends at the time, and the television at their home became their primary source of information as the attacks unfolded."To news jab aana shuru hui to uske baad mujhe yaad hai agle 3 din tak hum sab apne television ke saamne baithe hue the, (So when the news started breaking, I remember that for the next three days, all of us were sitting glued in front of our television)" the actor recalled.As reports emerged about the possibility of more terrorists being present in Mumbai, the atmosphere became increasingly tense. “Bahut saari baatein aur failne lagi thi... bahut saare aur terrorists hain jo sheher mein ghus gaye hain, (A lot of other rumors started spreading... that many more terrorists had entered the city)” he said.Remembering the fear surrounding the attacks, Rajkummar added, “Those three days were very very scary, aur bahut dar mein the hum log. (And we were in a state of immense fear)”

Rajkummar Rao recalls praying for Mumbai police

The actor also remembered worrying about the police personnel who were confronting the terrorists on the ground.

He said he and his friends were praying for their safety and hoping that the crisis would end soon. Rajkummar also recalled the relief he felt when he learned that Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving attacker captured after the 26/11 attacks, had been arrested. For him, the development offered some reassurance that investigators would be able to establish what had happened during the attack and understand the sequence of events.

What is 'Prahaar: The Untold Story' Of Ujjwal Nikam about?

'Prahaar: The Untold Story Of Ujjwal Nikam' is a biographical drama centred on veteran public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, with Rajkummar Rao portraying the lawyer. Directed by Avinash Arun, the film explores Nikam’s involvement in several high-profile criminal cases, with particular focus on the legal proceedings following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the prosecution of Ajmal Kasab.The cast also includes Wamiqa Gabbi and Sikandar Kher in pivotal roles. The role of Ajmal Kasab has been essayed by Marathi actor Lalit Prabhakar. The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on October 16, 2026.