The Hunt Review: A Thrilling Investigation Ride into Rajiv Gandhi's Assassination Case

RATING - ⭐⭐⭐✨3.5/5*

The Hunt Review Movie Talkies:

Team Sony LIV strikes again, and this time, it’s Nagesh Kukunoor who delivers the knockout punch. The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case is a gripping and edge-of-the-seat thriller by all means, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that no recent Hindi web series has managed to maintain such sustained intrigue across its entire runtime. While most series tend to fizzle out after the initial four or five episodes, leaving the finale to feel like a mere formality, The Hunt is an exception—it ensures every episode counts. Each installment is purposeful, compelling, and keeps you emotionally and intellectually invested, right up to the very end—even though the climax is well-known.

However, the series does falter when it comes to confronting the deeper, long-debated theories surrounding the assassination. It carefully skirts around the more controversial questions—those linked to the alleged involvement or awareness of certain union and state government officials. Though reports and whispers about these "inner conspiracies" have been in circulation for years, the series opts for silence rather than speculation. When it could’ve dug deeper and hit the most poignant note, it pulls back, settling for a quiet moment instead of raising the hard-hitting questions. It touches the truth casually, not seriously, which slightly dampens what could have been a powerful, reflective finale.

The Hunt Story: 

Based on Anirudhya Mitra’s investigative book 90 Days, the show meticulously chronicles the tense, high-stakes aftermath of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s tragic assassination via a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. The narrative follows the Special Investigation Team (SIT) as they work tirelessly to unravel the layers of the deadly conspiracy, identify key operatives, and ultimately track down the elusive mastermind, Sivarasan (Shafeeq Mustafa). As the clock ticks, the investigation winds through a maze of lucky breaks, narrow escapes, betrayals, political obstacles, and covert victories. What emerges is a textured, high-voltage procedural that shines a light on one of the most significant manhunts in Indian history.

The Hunt Cast: 

The ensemble cast is one of the series’ strongest assets—actors with more raw talent than glamour, which actually works to The Hunt's benefit. Amit Sial delivers a pitch-perfect performance as SIT chief D.R. Kaarthikeyan, making the viewer forget they are watching a performance at all. Sahil Vaid impresses in the role of Amit Verma, SP-CBI, whose perspective on the case adds a more nuanced and emotionally charged lens to the unfolding events. Bhagavathi Perumal as DSP Ragothaman, Danish Iqbal as DIG Amod Kanth, Girish Sharma as DIG Radhavinod Raju, and Vidyut Garg as NSG commando Captcha Ravindran add weight and dimension to the investigative team through solid, understated performances. And it is Shafeeq Mustafa, as the antagonist Sivarasan, who stuns with a chillingly controlled and intelligent portrayal that is bound to surprise viewers and critics alike. The supporting cast further enriches the experience, featuring commendable performances from Anjana Balaji, B. Sai Dinesh, Shruthy Jayan, Gouri Menon, and others who contribute authenticity and emotional grounding to the tense plot.

The writing, by Nagesh Kukunoor, Rohit Banawalikar, and Sriram Rajan, keeps the pace brisk and energy high. The narrative is smartly structured—think of it as CID for the streaming era, only without the soap-opera aesthetics. The seven-episode format is sharp and efficient, dividing the crucial 90-day period of investigation with smart pacing and well-planned transitions. Every episode kicks off with a meaningful moment and ends with a hook, ensuring binge-watch appeal without feeling manipulative or overly dramatic. With the advantage of being based on actual events, the writers resist the temptation to overdramatize, letting the truth itself drive the suspense.

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The Hunt Series Review: 

Technically, the show is well-crafted. The cinematography is polished, the editing crisp, and the sound design adds another layer of immersion. From framing to background score to the way certain real-life moments are recreated with sensitivity and tension, the team behind the scenes deserves applause. The dialogues are mostly hindi, but the use of local language ads more realistic sense to the interrogation scenes. Nagesh Kukunoor, known more for emotional dramas and socially rooted narratives, takes a surprising but successful leap into the thriller genre. His attention to character detail and psychological nuance remains intact, but here it's interwoven with a sharp sense of pacing and suspense. This unexpected turn in his career is both refreshing and impactful, proving he has a flair for intense, procedural storytelling. The Hunt is more than just a retelling of a historic investigation—it’s a thrilling experience. Even if you’re familiar with the story, watching it unfold on screen with such urgency and depth brings a new dimension to the case. With its powerful storytelling, strong performances, and immersive treatment, The Hunt hunts down your attention and never lets go.

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