Digital News Guru Entertainment Desk:
The Hunt: Calm Investigators, Rajiv Gandhi Manhunt
Release & Premise
The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case, a seven‑episode political thriller, premiered on July 4, 2025, exclusively on Sony LIV. Based on investigative journalist Anirudhya Mitra’s acclaimed book Ninety Days, the series follows the intense 90-day manhunt after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991. Directed and co-written by National-Award-winning Nagesh Kukunoor, the show focuses squarely on crime-procedural realism, avoiding sensational dramatization.
Plot & Direction
From the piercing opening scene—with a tense phone call to the Indian High Commission in Colombo—the series hurtles into the gruesome bombing and the subsequent formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by D.R. Kaarthikeyan.
Rather than dwelling on biographical elements, it meticulously dissects intelligence breakdowns, inter-agency friction, forensic procedures, and bureaucratic constraints. True to its title, The Hunt unfolds like a time‑sensitive whodunnit, piecing together raw leads via interviews, surveillance, and archival evidence until the climactic takedown of LTTE mastermind Sivarasan.
Director Nagesh Kukunoor ensures the tone remains measured and credible. The serial’s lack of bombast—no melodrama, no nationalist rallies—cements its authenticity, transforming the narrative into a documentary‑style ritual of justice over spectacle.
Performances: Raw and Real
The absence of glamorous leads works to its advantage: viewers witness strong performances from a talented ensemble who vanish into their roles:
- Amit Sial anchors the show as SIT chief D.R. Kaarthikeyan—restrained, authoritative, and unflinchingly committed. His quiet intensity forms the emotional spine of the series.
- Sahil Vaid (Amit Varma, CBI SP) and Bhagavathi Perumal (DSP Ragothaman) lend depth without overstated dramatics; both shine in delivering calm, credible performances.
- Danish Iqbal as Amod Kanth undergoes a physical and emotional transformation that critics describe as “chameleon‑like” .
- Shafeeq Mustafa impresses as the silent yet menacing Sivarasan—the one‑eyed LTTE mastermind—portraying anger and monomania through minimal dialogue.
The ensemble, including Girish Sharma, Vidyut Garg, Anjana Balaji, and Shrutie Jayan, collectively establishes a multifaceted investigation—each fragment contributing to a functional mosaic of collective law enforcement.
Realism and Period Detail
Set in pre‑Internet 1991, the series smartly avoids anachronistic tropes. Instead, it portrays agents relying on manual detective work—telephone intercepts, hidden cameras, and analog photo analysis. The lack of smartphones, digital metadata, and convenient tech applications places viewers firmly in the investigative climate of the time .
Authenticity also emerges via Tamil‑language dialogues (with subtitles), vintage vehicles, traditional police uniforms, and interspersed archival video and photography—elements that reinforce the docu‑drama ambience .
Piracy Spark and Industry Warning
A significant concern has emerged shortly after the release: The Hunt was leaked onto piracy sites within hours of the Sony LIV launch. Terms like “free download” and “watch online” are trending, proving how quickly high-profile series are breeched online.
This is not an isolated incident—past high-wattage releases (Panchayat 4, Squid Game 3) have faced similar breaches. Such unauthorised circulation can undermine viewership, box-office-equivalent streaming metrics, and revenue for creators. Piracy remains a criminal offense under the Indian Copyright Act of 1957.
Why You Should Watch—Legally
- A documentary‑grade production that eschews dramatic ornamentation in favor of unvarnished realism.
- A gripping ensemble‑driven narrative, rooted in strategy, sleuthing, and forensic breakthroughs.
- A historically significant case treated with depth, respect, and procedural focus—educational and timely.
- A chance to support legal content creation—streaming responsibly empowers creators and funds future high-quality work.
Final Word
The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case is a bold, measured, and meticulously researched journey into one of India’s most shocking political crises. Its strength lies in understatement: no bombast, no hysteria—just a serious, layered look at how a democracy hunts down domestic terror.
However, its impact risks undercutting by piracy. To truly value the craftsmanship, watch it via Sony LIV—where authenticity, licensing, and legal revenue channels align in support of future storytellers.
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