'Wahi hum goli maar dete use.' Amitabh Bachchan’s stark remark came as public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam recalled a startling claim allegedly made by Ajmal Kasab during the trial of the lone surviving attacker in the 26/11 Mumbai terror case.

The exchange took place on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 during a special episode titled Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam. Actor Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi also joined Nikam on the episode, which revisited the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and the landmark trial that followed.

While discussing Kasab, Bachchan questioned Nikam about the length of time between the terrorist's conviction and execution.

'Usse toh wahi gaad dena chahiye tha. Itna waqt kyun laga?' the actor asked, questioning why it took nearly four years for Kasab to be executed.

Nikam then took Bachchan back to his first encounter with Kasab inside the courtroom.

'Ajmal Kasab jab court mein aaya toh woh mujhe ghoor ke dekh raha tha, main use dekh raha tha,' Nikam recalled, describing the tense atmosphere when the accused appeared before the court.

Kasab allegedly claimed he came to Mumbai to see Amitabh Bachchan

According to Nikam, Kasab made several claims during the proceedings concerning his arrest and identity.

The prosecutor recalled that Kasab initially denied being arrested in connection with the 26/11 attacks and allegedly claimed that he had been arrested on November 6 at Juhu Chowpatty.

Nikam then recalled another claim that he said Kasab made during the trial. According to the prosecutor, Kasab told him that he had travelled to Mumbai to see Amitabh Bachchan.

'Aapko tajjub hoga jo aage usne kaha tha ki main toh Amitabh ji ko dekhne ke liye aaya tha. Ye sach mein hua hai,' Nikam told Bachchan.

The revelation prompted an immediate response from the veteran actor.

'Nahi nahi, sir agar woh aaya hoga toh woh hamare ghar se jaane wala nahi tha. Wahi hum goli maar dete use,' Bachchan said.

The exchange brought an extraordinary detail from the 26/11 trial into the spotlight, decades after the attacks that shook Mumbai.

Kasab’s claims over his identity and age

Nikam also recalled other claims allegedly made by Kasab during the legal proceedings. According to the prosecutor, Kasab claimed that he was a minor and alleged that RAW had arrested him.

His claim regarding his age became a legal issue during the case, as his age had to be established before proceedings could move ahead on that basis.

Ajmal Kasab was the only attacker among the 26/11 gunmen to be captured alive. The Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 left 166 people dead and became one of the most consequential terror cases in India's recent history.

Nikam led the prosecution in the case, which began in 2009. Kasab was convicted and sentenced to death in 2010 before being executed in 2012.

The discussion on KBC 18 formed part of the special episode centred on Nikam and his role in the 26/11 trial.

Rajkummar Rao portrays Nikam in ‘Prahaar: The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam’, with Wamiqa Gabbi also starring in the film.