There’s a little-known detail tucked away in the tangled history of India’s political violence—before Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, the LTTE’s suicide squad had already done a dress rehearsal during then Prime Minister V.P. Singh’s visit to Tamil Nadu.
And what’s more unsettling is this: even after carrying out one of the most high-profile assassinations in the world, the prime conspirator didn’t flee to Jaffna. He stayed in Madras, quietly planning another potential assassination—this time of J. Jayalalithaa. These aren’t throwaway facts. They’re part of the chilling tapestry that ‘The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case’ on SonyLiv lays out, all while staying firmly focused on the massive investigation launched after Rajiv Gandhi’s killing in 1991. Across its seven episodes, the series functions as both a tense procedural and a slow-burning thriller, taking viewers into the chaotic 90 days following the assassination without once feeling rushed or sensationalised under the able direction of Nagesh Kukunoor.
When intelligence meant legwork, not tech
Based on journalist Anirudhya Mitra’s book ‘Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins,’ the series doesn’t just walk us through the steps of the investigation—it drops us inside it. No mobile phones, no digital trails, no surveillance networks. The show immerses us in a pre-internet India, where intelligence gathering was a manual process and collaboration between agencies like CBI, RAW, IB, and the local police was both crucial and incredibly complex. Full credit to the creators for capturing this atmosphere without romanticising it. What could’ve been treated like a high-stakes drama instead plays out like a puzzle being assembled piece by piece. And because the pace is deliberate, every breakthrough feels earned. It’s hard not to be swept up in the mounting tension as officers chase faint leads across cities—Madras, Bangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore—all while the clock ticks and the political heat intensifies.
Quiet faces, strong performances
A big part of why ‘The Hunt’ works is because of its casting. There are no recognisable stars, and that’s entirely by design. This anonymity gives the performances a raw edge—you believe these are real people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Amit Sial as SIT Chief D.R. Kaarthikeyan leads with a quiet authority, never overplaying his hand. His portrayal of a calm, methodical leader gives the show its moral centre. Sahil Vaid, as CBI officer Amit Varma, offers a measured performance of a North Indian officer who speaks fluent Tamil and moves with urgency without theatrics. Bagavathi Perumal (also known as Bucks) as DSP Ragothaman stands out with a lived-in performance that’s understated yet effective. Even on the other side, among the LTTE operatives, Shafeeq Mustafa leaves a strong impression as Sivarasan—his restrained menace lingers long after he exits a scene.
A puzzle that demands patience viewing
The narrative isn’t always easy to follow. There are a lot of characters and names, some with overlapping motives, others with misleading intentions. The first few arrests may feel confusing as viewers are introduced to multiple players from the LTTE network and local sympathisers. But stick with it. The show never talks down to its audience and expects you to keep up. Once you do, it’s rewarding. The slow build works in its favour, and the tension isn’t manufactured—it comes from the sheer difficulty of the task. This was, after all, a nationwide manhunt during a time when everything took longer, relied more heavily on instincts, and left more room for error. The script understands this and treats the investigation like a living, breathing organism—shifting focus when needed, giving space to setbacks, and never tying things up with neat cinematic bows.
An understated climax, but leaves an impact
If there’s one place where ‘The Hunt’ stumbles, it’s in its final stretch. After the carefully constructed buildup, the climax feels slightly underpowered. The series ends with the house where Sivarasan was holed up being surrounded for over 30 hours while bureaucratic red tape delayed action. It’s an important and frustrating detail in the real-life case, and while the show includes it, the moment lacks urgency. It feels like the creators held back just when they could’ve gone deeper. But even so, the series doesn’t lose its impact. What it offers is rare: a detailed, no-frills look at one of India’s most important investigations. It's a show that doesn't rely on gimmicks, doesn't dumb things down, and trusts its viewers to pay attention. And for that reason alone, ‘The Hunt’ stands apart.
Cast: Amit Sial, Sahil Vaid, Danish Iqbal, Bagavathi Perumal, Girish Sharma, and Shafeeq Mustafa
Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Produced by: Applause Entertainment in association with Kukunoor Movies Directed by: Nagesh Kukunoor
Rating: 4/5
(‘The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case’ is streaming on SonyLIV)
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