Nagesh Kukunoor Says His Film The Hunt Is ‘Not About Politics'
Nagesh Kukunoor returns with The Hunt, a gripping short series on the 1991 assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi.
Nagesh Kukunoor makes a compelling return to the screen with The Hunt, a powerful and critically acclaimed short series that revisits one of the darkest chapters in modern Indian history—the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The incident, which unfolded during an election rally in 1991, not only shocked the nation but also marked a pivotal moment in its political landscape.
In a candid conversation with Seema Chishti, Editor at The Wire, Kukunoor reflects on what drew him to such a politically charged and emotionally complex narrative at this point in his career. He explained, 'When Samir Nair approached me with this idea, my initial response was I do not want to do anything political or religious… The only kind of politics I'll write about is my fictional show City of Dreams." Despite his initial hesitation, Kukunoor eventually saw potential in the project. 'When I read it, I kind of knew how to structure this show," he shared.
Unlike traditional retellings that often get entangled in the emotional or political aftermath, The Hunt focuses squarely on the massive and methodical investigation that followed the assassination. The creators have made a conscious effort to avoid sensationalism and instead shed light on the complex inner workings of the case. The storyline avoids drifting into tangents, even as it acknowledges the larger socio-political and cross-border ramifications of the event. The emphasis remains firmly on how law enforcement and intelligence agencies navigated the investigation in a vastly different technological landscape.
Set in the pre-Internet and pre-mobile phone era, the series vividly recreates the tone, mood and texture of the early 1990s India. Through a palette of muted colours and measured pacing, the show brings to life a country on the brink of transformation. It captures the intricacies of the 90 days immediately following the assassination, when digital surveillance was nonexistent, communication channels were limited and investigative tools were rudimentary compared to today's standards. Yet, the probe that unfolded was as thorough and high-stakes as any modern-day operation.
Kukunoor acknowledges the unique creative and technical challenges of portraying a pre-digital India in 2025. Reconstructing a time before smartphones and internet footprints meant reimagining everything from the speed of information flow to the way people communicated and investigated crimes. The director notes that this slower, analogue pace required a rethinking of visual storytelling and narrative rhythm.
With The Hunt, Kukunoor takes a bold, creative leap. Known for exploring themes such as personal growth, human relationships, and emotional introspection in films like Hyderabad Blues, Iqbal and Dor, he now ventures into true-crime territory—a genre grounded in realism and forensic detail. While he had previously dabbled in thrillers with 8×10 Tasveer, starring Akshay Kumar and Ayesha Takia, The Hunt stands apart in both tone and treatment. It's not just a thriller—it's a meticulous chronicle of actual events, handled with a sharp eye for authenticity and nuance.
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