Stepping into the shoes of one of India’s most hated terrorists is not a role many actors would willingly take up. But for Lalit Prabhakar, portraying Ajmal Kasab in the upcoming film ‘Prahaar’ was much more than just another acting assignment. While Rajkummar Rao essays the role of special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Lalit takes on the daunting responsibility of playing the face behind one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. For the actor, it became an opportunity to challenge himself, push his boundaries, and be part of a story that revisits the truth of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Lalit opened up about landing the role, understanding Kasab’s psychology, revisiting the painful memories of the attacks, and why he believes this is one of the most important characters of his career.
On how Lalit Prabhakar landed the role of Ajmal Kasab
“I got a call for an audition, and I went. We should appreciate those people who always look at actors from a different vision. The creators behind my character, who envisioned me playing Ajmal Kasab, should be appreciated because they believed I could do it, and that’s how this opportunity came to me. ,” he said.When asked him about the choices he made as an actors, Lalit shared, “The choices I make as an actor have also made it possible for me to reach here. I have always tried to do films that don’t keep my image the same. I want audiences to see different versions of me. I deliberately choose films that break my established image and either surprise or even confuse the audience. Like I did ‘Anandi Gopal’, ‘Shanti Kranti’, and many other projects that presented a completely different side of me. Audiences have always supported my work and looked forward to seeing me in varied roles. So, I accepted this challenge because I knew the audience would accept it too.”When asked Lalit was it difficult to play the man who is the most hated person in India. He admited and explained, “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.”
Lalit says the film’s subject was equally important in convincing him to say yes.
“Before taking up any project, I always see what the film is trying to say and what it wants to convey overall. This film talks about truth. It is based on true events, and the facts are not distorted. Because of that, I don’t feel any regret about doing it.“My character is extremely important to the film. Without him, the main story remains incomplete and cannot be told. It is a very crucial part, and I feel getting such a challenging role is a big thing.”
I don’t think I can ever forget 26/11 says Lalit Prabhakar
Recalling where he was on the night Mumbai was attacked, Lalit says the memories remain as vivid as ever.“I was in Mumbai. I was rehearsing for a play. Even today, the memories of the horrific night haven’t faded. Obviously, it’s a wound. I don’t think I can ever forget that incident. When we go to those places, we still think about how it happened. How could it happen? And how massive and shocking that incident was.”The actor says every visit to the attack sites still brings back haunting memories.“I have travelled through CST so many times, but whenever you visit that place, those thoughts come to your mind—how it happened and why it happened. “And because of that, I feel immense respect for our entire police force, our task force, and the system. The way they handled everything and solved the case… the more I learned through this film, the more I admired them.”For Lalit Prabhakar, portraying Ajmal Kasab was never about glorifying a terrorist. Instead, it was about serving a larger narrative—one that revisits one of the darkest chapters in India’s history while paying tribute to the courage of those who fought back. The actor believes that taking on difficult, unconventional characters is what keeps him growing, and Kasab has undoubtedly become one of the most demanding and defining roles of his career.
