The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Case (2025) Series: Nagesh Kukunoor’s Political Thriller Gets Everything Right About Real Police Work
The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case hits SonyLIV as one of 2025’s most gripping political thrillers. Nagesh Kukunoor directs this seven-episode crime series with remarkable restraint and authenticity.
| Show Title: | The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case |
| Primary Language: | Hindi |
| Leading Actresses: | Sruthi Jayan |
| Main Cast Members: | Bagavathi Perumal, Amit Sial, Sahil Vaid |
| Category: | Mystery, Crime |
| Latest Season Release: | 4 Jul 2025 |
| Directed By: | Nagesh Kukunoor |
Applause Entertainment and Kukunoor Movies bring us this compelling recreation of India’s darkest political chapter. The series stars Amit Sial, Sahil Vaid, Bagavathi Perumal, and Girish Sharma in a story that respects tragedy while delivering engaging television.
The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case Cast Name
| Actor | Characters |
|---|---|
| Amit Sial | D.R. Kaarthikeyan |
| Girish Sharma | Radhavinod Raju |
| Danish Iqbal | Amod Kanth |
| Shafeeq Mustafa | |
| Sahil Vaid | Amit Verma |
| Sruthi Jayan | |
| Bagavathi Perumal | Ragothaman |
| Anjana Balaji | |
| Sai Dinesh Badram | |
| Vidyuth Gargi | Capt. Ravindran |
Plot That Hooks You From Episode One
Based on Anirudhya Mitra’s book Ninety Days, the series chronicles the intense manhunt following Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination on May 21, 1991. The LTTE suicide bombing at Sriperumbudur shocked the nation and triggered India’s most complex investigation.
The story follows the Special Investigation Team led by IPS officer D.R. Kaarthikeyan. I found myself immediately drawn into their world of landline phones, fax machines, and old-school detective work. No fancy gadgets, just pure investigative instinct.
The narrative spans multiple cities – Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore – as investigators piece together the LTTE network. Each episode reveals new layers of conspiracy, from safe houses to smuggling routes along Tamil Nadu’s coast.
Performances That Feel Completely Real
Amit Sial delivers what I consider his finest performance as Kaarthikeyan. He avoids the typical heroic cop stereotype, instead presenting a methodical officer under crushing pressure. His calm demeanor masks the weight of leading India’s most important investigation.
Sahil Vaid brings natural chemistry as SP Amit, bridging the gap between Hindi-speaking officers and local Tamil police. His interactions feel genuine, never forced or theatrical.
Shafeeq Mustafa creates a chilling Sivarasan without turning him into a cartoon villain. Despite being the antagonist, Mustafa shows the operative’s unwavering commitment to his cause. It’s disturbing yet compelling.
The supporting cast shines throughout. Bagavathi Perumal and local Tamil actors create believable regional authenticity. Kukunoor’s decision to cast character actors over stars pays off brilliantly.
Direction That Respects History
Nagesh Kukunoor shows remarkable maturity in handling sensitive material. Instead of exploiting tragedy for cheap thrills, he maintains journalistic integrity throughout. This feels like watching real events unfold, not dramatized fiction.
The cinematography captures early 1990s India perfectly. From cramped investigation rooms to actual locations where events happened, everything feels authentic. The production design nails the period details without being showy about it.
However, the series stumbles with dialogue transitions between Tamil and Hindi. Some moments feel jarring when characters switch languages unnaturally. This breaks the immersion occasionally.
What Makes This Series Special
The show’s biggest strength lies in showing pre-internet investigative work. Watching officers rely on instinct, physical surveillance, and handwritten records fascinated me. It highlights how much police work has changed in 30 years.
Real names and locations add serious weight to the narrative. No inspired by true events disclaimer here – this happened exactly as shown. The respectful treatment of the Gandhi family through archival footage demonstrates the creators’ sensitivity.
The series avoids political grandstanding completely. It focuses purely on the professional dedication of investigators doing an impossible job with limited resources.
Where It Could Be Better
The series suffers from uneven pacing across its seven episodes. Episodes one and six represent peak television, while middle episodes occasionally drag. Too much story crammed into too few episodes, yet somehow still feeling padded.
Language switching remains problematic throughout. The decision to make Kaarthikeyan primarily Hindi-speaking when the real officer was Tamil creates unnecessary confusion. Better script adaptation could have solved this.
Some characterizations lean toward stereotype. Sivarasan occasionally becomes too much of a comic book villain rather than exploring the complex ideological motivations behind LTTE actions.
Critics and Audiences Love It
Rediff.com gave it 3.5 stars, noting viewers get hooked from the first episode. The Week also rated it 3.5/5 stars, calling it a gripping watch that effectively dramatizes events decades later.
News 24 awarded 4 stars out of 5, praising how The Hunt knows which side it is on, but gives us room to decide. Cinema Express rated it 3.5/5 stars, describing it as a textbook investigative thriller.
IMDb reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers consistently praise the grounded realism and respectful handling of sensitive material. Many appreciate the nostalgic value for those who lived through these events.
Critics consistently highlight Amit Sial’s performance and Kukunoor’s restrained direction. The authenticity of investigation processes and use of real names receive particular appreciation.
Final Thoughts
The Hunt succeeds as both historical documentation and engaging television. Despite pacing issues and dialogue problems, it delivers compelling insight into India’s most significant investigation.
Kukunoor’s respectful approach to sensitive material, combined with strong performances particularly from Sial, creates viewing that educates while entertaining. The series stands out by focusing on procedural authenticity rather than sensational drama.
While not perfect, The Hunt represents quality Indian web content that tackles historical events with appropriate seriousness. It serves as both entertainment and historical record.
For anyone interested in recent Indian history or well-crafted crime procedurals, this series delivers. I recommend it despite its flaws – the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses.
Rating: 3.5/5
