Nagesh Kukunoor's latest web series, "The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case," streaming on SonyLIV, delves into the aftermath of the tragic assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. However, the director is keen to emphasize that the series is "not about politics". Kukunoor, known for films like "Hyderabad Blues" and "Iqbal," approached the sensitive subject as a true crime thriller, focusing on the investigation rather than political commentary.
Adapted from Anirudhya Mitra's book "Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi's Assassins," the series follows the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CBI as they race against time to uncover the conspiracy behind the assassination. The show chronicles the 90-day investigation, showcasing the challenges and complexities faced by the investigators. Kukunoor collaborated with Rohit G Banawlikar and Sriram Rajan on the project.
Kukunoor has stated that anything remotely political is a "no-go zone" for him as a filmmaker. He was drawn to "The Hunt" because it came across as a true crime thriller. He made sure to steer clear of any scenes that could have political implications. According to Kukunoor, the series begins with the day of the assassination and then simply tells what happened over the next 90 days. He added that there is no taking sides of anyone, and nothing political happens. "It's just the way the events unfolded, and they're laid out," he explained.
The director has emphasized his commitment to presenting an objective view of the events, ensuring that all sides are humanized. He explained that he treats every aspect of the narrative with the utmost fairness. Kukunoor also mentioned that he wanted to make sure he was not stepping on any toes while making the series. He handled the story with the utmost care, especially considering that many of the special investigation team members are still alive.
The series aims to provide a gripping narrative without sensationalizing the events or engaging in political mudslinging. Kukunoor's approach was to treat it like a police procedural and a crime thriller from the get-go. The series avoids painting people in black and white, opening a window into the extremists' mindscape as well. Kukunoor delicately handles the cliché: 'one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter'.
"The Hunt" features Amit Sial as D.R. Kaarthikeyan, the head of the SIT, along with Sahil Vaid, Bagavathi Perumal, Danish Iqbal, and Girish Sharma as other members of the investigation team. Shafeeq Mustafa portrays Sivarasan, the mastermind behind the assassination.
Kukunoor's decision to focus on the true crime aspect of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case allows the series to explore the human drama and complexities of the investigation without getting bogged down in political debates. By presenting an objective view of the events, "The Hunt" seeks to provide viewers with a gripping and informative account of one of India's most tragic historical events.
