The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case (Sony LIV, 2025) is a riveting seven-episode crime thriller that meticulously reconstructs the 90-day manhunt following the 1991 assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by an LTTE suicide bomber in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. Directed by #NageshKukunoor and adapted from Anirudhya Mitra’s Ninety Days, the series plunges viewers into a pre-digital India, where the Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by D.R. Kaarthikeyan (Amit Sial), unravels a complex conspiracy through grit and instinct.
Sial’s restrained yet commanding performance anchors the show, supported by a stellar ensemble—Sahil Vaid as the sharp Amit Varma, Bagavathi Perumal as the grounded Ragothaman, and Shafeeq Mustafa as the chilling LTTE operative Sivarasan. The series excels in its authentic Tamil dialogue and atmospheric cinematography, capturing the era’s tension without sensationalism. Kukunoor’s direction balances procedural rigor with emotional depth, spotlighting the human cost of the investigation while avoiding political bias.
However, the pacing falters in later episodes, with bureaucratic delays and repetitive scenes slightly diluting the climax’s urgency. The lack of deeper context on the LTTE’s motives may leave some viewers wanting more. Still, The Hunt is a bold, gripping tribute to a pivotal moment in Indian history, blending raw authenticity with compelling storytelling. It’s a must-watch for true-crime enthusiasts and history buffs alike, earning a solid 3.5/5 for its focused narrative and powerful performances
