⭐ Verdict: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
Genre: Investigative Thriller | Political Drama
Streaming on: SonyLIV
Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Based on: 90 Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins by Anirudhya Mitra
🔍 What It’s About:
The Hunt chronicles the chilling aftermath of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991. It follows CBI Director DR Karthikeyan (Amit Sial) and his Special Investigation Team (SIT) as they unravel a web of terrorism, politics, and betrayal to capture the elusive conspirator Sivarasan (Shafeeq Mustafa).
✅ What Works:
1. Bold & Honest Storytelling
Director Nagesh Kukunoor, alongside co-writers Rohit Banawalikar and Sriram Rajan, avoids sugar-coating or myth-making. The show uses real names, avoids political propaganda, and delivers facts with cinematic intensity—something rarely seen in Indian OTT.
2. Stellar Performances
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Amit Sial as Karthikeyan is restrained, sharp, and human. A career-defining performance.
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Danish Iqbal as DIG Amod Kanth balances intensity and intellect.
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Shafeeq Mustafa as Sivarasan is terrifyingly calm—portraying a mind corrupted by ideology with chilling precision.
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Snehal Shrivastava and Shrutie Jayan embody two contrasting ideologies in brief but strong roles.
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Anjana Balaji as Nalini is ruthlessly composed, revealing the chilling emotional vacuum in terrorist psychology.
3. Authentic Production Design
Meticulous attention to the 1990s era—costumes, set design, phones, news tickers—adds an immersive historical texture.
4. Unbiased & Layered
The show portrays terrorists, politicians, and law enforcers as human—flawed and shaped by circumstance. It never lectures; it simply shows.
5. Social & Political Relevance
The series serves as an educational, thought-provoking piece—especially for journalists, political science students, and concerned citizens.
⚠️ What Could’ve Been Better:
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Slight Repetition: A few sequences around Sivarasan’s hideouts and surveillance feel stretched.
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Missing Personal Arcs: While intentional, the lack of backstory for most characters may distance viewers seeking emotional depth.
🎬 Final Take:
The Hunt is not just a political thriller—it’s a cinematic document of national trauma and bureaucratic resilience. It's raw, fearless, and intelligent—free from jingoism or whitewashing. Kukunoor once again proves that when truth is handled with integrity, it doesn’t need embellishment.
This is essential viewing for anyone serious about Indian history, politics, or journalism.
