MUMBAI: In the late 1950s, India was looking for an answer that only Rustom Pavri had! Did he shoot Vikram Makhija, his wife’s lover? If yes, what made him surrender himself? If no, then who did? The State of Maharashtra was in a legal battle with Naval Officer Rustom Pavri- a case fueled by love and agony. &pictures- Naye India Ka Blockbuster Channel presents on this Republic Day the premiere of a courtroom saga ‘Rustom’ on Thursday, 26 January, at 8 PM.

Inspired from real life incidents, the film is directed by Tinu Suresh Desai and produced by Neeraj Pandey. The film stars the handsome Akshay Kumar in the lead role, along with Ileana D’Cruz, Arjan Bajwa and Esha Gupta playing vital characters in the movie. The movie touches upon various stories including exposing the politics of Indian navy, a love story, a thrilling murder mystery and a rollercoaster of emotions.

Known for his love for uniform and the Indian Military Forces, Akshay Kumar has been a part of around 20 films where he has donned the uniform look, including Rustom. On the occasion of Republic Day, the actor, who shot for Rustom on an Indian Navy Warship said, “I salute the Indian Navy who stays on the ship for 6 months. It is very difficult to walk on the ship. I had to walk bending my back as the height of the walk-ways is not much. But despite all this, our naval officers are agile and carry out all the activities so efficiently. I am thankful that we got the permission to shoot on a warship, it was indeed a great opportunity.”

The story of Rustom revolves around the Indian Naval Officer Rustom Pavri (Akshay Kumar) and his wife Cynthia (Ileana D’Cruz), who are happily married. One day, Rustom returns home and surprises his wife Cynthia. He discovers his friend Vikarm Makhija’s (Arjan Bajwa) love letters in Cynthia’s wardrobe and leaves his home to confront them. His next step creates a stir in everyone’s life, when he rushes to Vikram’s bedroom and the servants hear three gun shots. They find Vikram’s body in a pool of blood and Rustom walks away without saying a word. What follows is a legal battle in which Rustom surrenders himself but halfway through the hearing, he decides to fight back. Vikram’s sister Priti (Esha Gupta) hires the best lawyers to ensure Rustom is charged for the murder.

Was it a premeditated murder or an act of self-defense?