The Hunt review: A bold, unflinching thriller digging deep into Rajiv Gandhi case

India Today

a day ago

The assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991 leads to a high-profile investigation in 'The Hunt'. The Criminal Investigation Department (CBI) Director, DR Karthikeyan (Amit Sial), forms a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. Based on Anirudhya Mitra's book '90 Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi's Assassins', 'The Hunt' depicts Karthikeyan and his team's race against time.advertisementAmid the political pressure, media scrutiny and national security concerns, the SIT team must track down the elusive mastermind, Sivarasan (Shafeeq Mustafa), responsible for the deadliest assassination in Indian history. Director Nagesh Kukunoor, who has also co-written the investigative-thriller alongside Rohit Banawalikar and Sriram Rajan, brings a riveting series on one of India's secret fight against terrorism.Once in a while, storytellers dare to attempt brave, hard-hitting narratives about real-life events and grounded characters. At times, the story itself elevates the dramatisation of scenes while serving as an emotional anchor for the actors as they portray their characters.
'The Hunt' brings forth the unspoken historical truth of Indian politics unabashedly without indulging in conspiracy theories or political mudslinging.Kukunoor, Banawalikar and Rajan compel the audiences to think with their well-woven characters and perfectly executed screenplay. The series is a masterclass in cinematic adaptations of documented facts about politically sensitive, unsettling events.The efforts at narrating the politics and conspiracy behind Rajiv Gandhi's assassination as it happened is a landmark precedent for Indian filmmakers. Perhaps the best utilisation of digital platforms, devoid of censorship, is to take names of real individuals and unravel the truth, rather than suppressing it. However, what makes for a compelling watch is the sheer dedication of every single actor on board to the director and screenwriters' vision.What Shoojit Sircar and John Abraham attempted in 'Madras Cafe', laid the foundation for a much bolder cinematic adaptation which honours the soul of artistry, which is truth. It's the honesty in the script and the buried truth about a political injustice which empowers the actors to bring out intense emotions with subtle nuances.'The Hunt' brings out the human side of the characters without delving much into their personal lives. The creators and actors hit the bull's eye by getting into the psyche of their on-screen roles. The character of Karthikeyan, played by Sial, the righteous chief of the SIT team, bound by law, methodical and visionary, yet confined by the political ecosystem, is a reflection of every law-abiding citizen in a democracy.Despite the CBI director's well-planned setup and a highly competent team of experts both in the field and at the desk job, one gets a glimpse of socio-political limitations on public servants.advertisementSial, as Karthikeyan, gives one of the most unique and impressive performances of his career, showcasing his versatility. He does a commendable job in portraying the vigilant mindset, calm demeanour, composure amid chaos and human sensitivity of a CBI director.The show is especially meant for those who have invested enough time in getting into the truth behind the assassination of India's youngest political leader. The series has historical anecdotes in-store for investigative journalists and students of political science and history.The brief yet crucial depiction of then-Indian Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar by actor Vishwajeet Pradhan is convincing and adds up to the political tension in the espionage-driven narrative. Pradhan embodies the PM's character in limited screen moments precisely as to responsibly reflect on the sanctity and integrity of the government's highest office.The character of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), SIT, Amod Kanth, is yet another defining role in 'The Hunt'. Even though Sial as Karthikeyan leads the show, crime journalists, government officials and scholars are familiar with Kanth's relevance in high-profile political probes.Danish Iqbal as Kanth delves deeper into the personality of an investigative official linked to the most defining moments of Indian political history. Iqbal doesn't impersonate the body language of Kanth, but gets into the mindset of the character. The actor reveals true chameleon traits in his acting prowess as he is unrecognisable throughout the show.advertisementIn this high-stakes, documentary-themed series, the audiences also get certain light-hearted moments, which go down well with the accuracy of cultural references. The conspirators and suspects are huge Rajinikanth fans, smitten by the larger-than-life swagger, while imitating the signature cigarette style of the superstar.The mysterious and vicious Sivasaran's parallels to Marlan Brando's 'One-Eyed Jack '(1961), serves well as a pop-culture anecdote in a rather serious setup. Mustafa brings a lot of weight and believability to Sivasaran's cunningness and commitment to a violent movement.The viewers get a glimpse of human follies, led by misguided, divisive politics, promoting hate and discrimination. Sivasaran and Nalini are the embodiment of insensitive and cruel individuals. Anjana Balaji amicably adapts the cold-blooded traits and rage within Nalini. The performances and characters justify the narrative with the utmost conviction.'The Hunt' also gives a subtle contrast between good and evil without judging the characters. Sub-Inspector Anusuya (Snehal Shrivastava) and Dhanu (Shrutie Jayan) are the two repelling forces of human thought process. The former diligently takes accountability for her actions and defends humanity; the latter lacks empathy, blinded by hatred. Shrivastava and Jayan in their brief roles, are able to deliver the best of their artistry. The varying aspects of human emotions and ideologies are well presented in this investigative thriller.advertisementSahil Vaid, Bhagavathi Perumal, Girish Sharma, Vidyut Garg, Anjana Balaji, B Sai Dinesh and Gouri Menon have also given noteworthy performances. 'The Hunt' is explosive and fearlessly names controversial political figures. Kukunoor, known for his raw characterisation and transparent revelation of realities, once again defies creative censorship. The director, who earlier disrupted cinema with 'Rockford', 'Hyderabad Blues', 'Iqbal' and 'Lakshmi', is uninhibited while documenting a former PM's assassination.The show is a testament to the fact that filmmaking goes beyond entertainment and has a vital role to play in social consciousness. Such stories break the Western notion of Indian cinema meant for amusement, similar to the land of snake-charmers stereotype. Banawalikar and Rajan also make the effort to introduce audiences to India's diplomatic challenges.Although the Kukunoor-directorial maintains pace, in most of the parts, the investigation and Sivasaran's conspiring scenes become slightly longer and redundant to the viewers. However, the minute detailing of the time period in terms of costumes, set design and mannerisms makes up for the same.advertisementFor cinema to be a force to reckon with as soft-power, it is pivotal to be honest and genuine with historical events instead of hiding or neglecting them. While OTT has definitely liberated the storytellers in terms of intense and powerful cinema, there is also a need for well-intended artistry rather than politically influenced propaganda.'The Hunt' doesn't dehumanise or demean any individual, community or group even though it refrains from changing real names. However, the actions and events in the series are a byproduct of the circumstances and human conditioning. The well-crafted narrative leaves no room for the audience to judge the characters.The show is meant for all media professionals, academicians and those inquisitive about politically sensitive events. It also needs to be on the binge-watch list of individuals seeking the truth about India as concerned citizens.'The Hunt' provokes and shakes up your conscience by unravelling the harsh socio-political realities. It uncovers the challenges government officials go through in matters relating to national security. The show also makes one question about the disconnect of citizens from the external and internal threats linked to national unity and sovereignty.For an enriching and engaging cinematic experience, the series has everything expected from a perfectly executed investigative-thriller with well-woven characters.'The Hunt' is streaming on SonyLIV.- Ends4 out of 5 stars for 'The Hunt'.Must Watch