The Hunt – The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case
A Riveting Crime Thriller Rooted in True History
Release Date & Platform
Streamed exclusively on Sony LIV from 4 July 2025 .
Genre & Format
A Hindi–Tamil crime‑drama web series in 7 episodes, each around 50 minutes, directed by National Award–winner Nagesh Kukunoor, based on Anirudhya Mitra’s investigative book Ninety Days .
Key Cast & Crew
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Director & Writers: Nagesh Kukunoor (also co‑wrote with Rohit G. Banawalikar and Sriram Rajan) .
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Producers: Applause Entertainment and Kukunoor Movies .
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Lead Cast:
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Amit Sial as D.R. Kaarthikeyan, SIT Chief
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Sahil Vaid as Amit Verma (SP, CBI)
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Bagavathi Perumal as Ragothaman (DSP, CBI)
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Girish Sharma as Radhavinod Raju (DIG, CBI)
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Danish Iqbal as Amod Kant (DIG, CBI)
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Vidyut Gargi as Capt. Ravindran (NSG Commando)
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Shafeeq Mustafa as LTTE operative Sivarasan
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Rajiv Kumar as Rajiv Gandhi (silent portrayal)
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📖 Plot Overview
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The series opens with the suicide bombing on 21 May 1991 in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, where former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by an LTTE operative disguised as a supporter, killing 15 others in the process .
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It then shifts into the intense 90‑day manhunt led by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) under D.R. Kaarthikeyan, solving a labyrinth of clues, espionage, corruption, and intelligence failures .
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Through forensic work, interrogations, stakeouts, and archival snippets, the show reconstructs the truth‑seeking mission amid political interference and emotional turmoil.
🎭 Why Watch It?
Authenticity Meets Cinematic Tension
Reviewers praise its rigorous, non‑sensational storytelling-a procedural that feels grounded and accurate . India Today notes it as a mix of political and espionage drama with real weight .
Exceptional Ensemble Performances
Amit Sial anchors the story with nuance, while Shafeeq Mustafa’s muted portrayal of Sivarasan is chillingly effective despite minimal dialogue. Critics highlighted strong performances by Sahil Vaid, Bagavathi Perumal, Girish Sharma and others, elevating the emotional stakes.
Gripping Edge-of-the-Seat Pace
Although written for seven episodes, standout episodes (notably 1 & 6) deliver powerful drama. While pacing feels uneven at times, the highs are remarkable and addictive.
🔍 Interesting Facts & Extras
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Based on a real investigation: The storyline is lifted from the journalist Anirudhya Mitra’s non-fiction account Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins .
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Voice of history: The portrayal of Rajiv Gandhi is by Rajiv Kumar, shown briefly but meaningfully—his silent presence carries emotional weight.
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Director’s intent: Nagesh Kukunoor chose the OTT format to enable deep character arcs and procedural detail that wouldn’t fit a theatrical runtime.
🧩 SEO-Friendly Key Points (Use in headings or bullet list)
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90‑Day SIT investigation Rajiv Gandhi series
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Based on Ninety Days book Anirudhya Mitra
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LTTE plot and intelligence procedural show
✅ Final Thoughts
The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case is not just entertainment—it’s an immersive look at one of India’s most turbulent chapters. With solid direction, compelling performances, and journalistic integrity, the series becomes a must-watch for fans of real‑crime, political intrigue, and historical drama.
Whether you're revisiting the past or seeing it anew, this series delivers tension, context, and a poignant portrayal of justice delayed but ultimately pursued.
