Latest news with #Kukunoor
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘The Hunt' director Nagesh Kukunoor: opens up on challenges of casting, OTT shift, and portraying Rajiv Gandhi case truthfully
Director Nagesh Kukunoor recently released a new web series called 'The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case ' on Sony LIV. In a new interview, he talked about his experience working on this true-crime story, how OTT platforms have shaped his journey in the last few years, and why he now wants to return to making films for theatres. Nagesh Kukunoor talked about his new series During an interview with Hindustan Times, director Nagesh Kukunoor recently opened up about his new web series titled 'The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case', streaming on Sony LIV. He shared insights on his journey as a filmmaker, his experience working in the OTT space, and also his future plans in cinema. The series is based on the real-life investigation of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi 's assassination and has drawn attention due to its sensitive and politically connected subject. Nagesh Kukunoor's views on long format content Kukunoor said that for the last six to seven years, he has been fully involved in creating long-form content for digital platforms. He worked on multiple projects for major OTT platforms. He explained that he enjoys the long format because it allows him to explore characters in detail, something that's difficult in a two-hour film. However, he also mentioned that the early excitement around OTT has started to settle down, though he still finds it creatively satisfying. Despite being active in the digital space, Kukunoor expressed his interest in returning to theatrical films. He said it's time for him to 'wade back into films,' but he admitted that making films without star actors is very difficult in the current market. One of his biggest challenges is that he doesn't always choose big celebrities for his projects. Because of this, getting financial backing and distribution becomes hard. He pointed out that in theatres, audiences and producers still expect to see a known face to attract attention and business. Talking about his creative process, Kukunoor revealed that he always has stories in mind. However, he only commits to a project when the script really demands to be made and when there is a realistic budget to work with. He's not someone who just jumps on every idea. Instead, he waits for the right time and resources to develop it properly. About the series About 'The Hunt', Kukunoor stressed that even though it's based on a major political event, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, it is not a political show. He clarified that the series is a true-crime thriller, based on facts and it focuses on the detailed investigation that led to solving the case. He also said that while some may link the topic to politics, his intent was never to create a political drama. Kukunoor also pointed out that he prefers fictional political stories over real political figures. He had earlier worked on a political show for three seasons, but it featured entirely fictional characters. In contrast, The Hunt deals with real people and real incidents, so it was very important for him to handle the content sensitively. He said that when dealing with actual people and many of whom are still alive, so one needs to be extra careful in portraying them with honesty and balance. Lastly, he said that he tried to present both sides of the story with humanity, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) officers and even the LTTE operatives responsible for the attack and his goal was not to take sides but to show how events unfolded as truthfully as possible. He didn't want to sensationalize the case or draw modern political connections. Instead, he focused on creating a balanced and respectful portrayal of a tragic chapter in India's history.
India Today
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
The Hunt director Nagesh Kukunoor: Nearly impossible to make something political now
Nagesh Kukunoor-directed 'The Hunt- The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case' has been receiving a lot of love from audiences. However, the filmmaker had his doubts before taking up the SonyLiv show, as he was hesitant to venture into anything political. In an exclusive chat with India Today, Kukunoor opened up about adapting 'Ninety Days' into a series, and why he typically refrains from handling sensitive how the series came about, Nagesh Kukunoor shared that the initial conversation began between Applause and Anirudhya Mitra around his book 'Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi's Assassins'. The production house then approached him to direct the show, but his initial reaction was a firm no."When Sameer Nair called me, my initial response was a no because I did not want to do anything political. He told me, 'Just give the book a read, it has nothing to do with politics'. And literally, it came out as a true crime thriller. After reading the book, I knew how I would position this show as - a police procedural. Once in my head, I was clear that I wouldn't put my finger on any kind of politics, then I knew I was okay. But it didn't make the job any less challenging. Each scene that you write it's so arduous at times because you know you're writing scenes based on real-life characters. Some of them were still alive. And that stress is always there, and I hope they're not misrepresented. I hope it's not showing them in a [bad light]. It was something new for me. And so yes, it was lovely to just go back into fiction and write whatever the crap it is," he shared with a loud also spoke to him about the challenges filmmakers face when dealing with political themes today. Calling it 'nearly impossible', the director said, "The self-censorship is so high. No one wants to, and sometimes it doesn't need to be political. It will be some random person somewhere who sets something off, and then the media picks it up, and it gets into the political scene. So, it's an unfortunate side product of the times that we're in."Kukunoor added that this was also the reason why he has chosen to stay away from social media. "Because you put a picture of just yourself, and 20 guys will say, 'Do you think of yourself as a hero?' I don't want this. I don't want people pumping hot air and saying, 'Sir, you look amazing, what do you do?' I don't want either of those. Go watch my work.. If it's good, it will make it to the news. I don't need to hear compliments from a random person, sitting in a city miles away. I have zero desire for that kind of input into my life." READ THE HUNT REVIEW HEREThe 'Iqbal' director also touched upon the pressure on public figures expected to take a stand on every topical subject. He shared that he doesn't understand why it's important for his voice to be heard. "If you ask me about filmmaking, I'll say, okay, I have a voice. I make films like this, and that's my breakdown. There's a process. But if you ask me about, like, rocket science, I wouldn't have an answer. Also, why is my opinion so important? People are so driven by opinions and what others say. I may have opinions, but I need not voice them," Kukunoor Amit Sial, Danish Iqbal, Bhagavathi Perumal, Sahil Vaid, Vidyuth Gargi, and Girish Sharma, The Hunt is streaming on SonyLiv.- Ends
News18
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Nagesh Kukunoor Says His Film The Hunt Is ‘Not About Politics'
Last Updated: 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. First Published:
The Wire
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Wire
Making an OTT Series on Rajiv Gandhi's Assassination Was Very Challenging: Director Nagesh Kukunoor
Culture Seema Chishti 2 minutes ago Kukunoor discusses his creative process, the state of cinema in India today, and why he does what he does with The Wire's Editor, Seema Chishti. Director, writer and film maker Nagesh Kukunoor is back with The Hunt, a critically acclaimed short-series on the assassination of a former prime minister that shook the nation. When Rajiv Gandhi was killed during an election rally, it changed the course of India's history. Director Kukunoor discusses why he has chosen to portray the grim killing now. Picturing the pre-cellphone nation, with muted colours and a completely different pace posed unexpected challenges in 2025. Kukunoor discusses his creative process, the state of cinema in India today, and why he does what he does with The Wire's Editor, Seema Chishti. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘No blazing climax, no glory at the end': Director Nagesh Kukunoor decodes ‘The Hunt'
Those who grew up on the slice-of-life stories dished out by Nagesh Kukunoor at the turn of the millennium would vouch for the respect he exudes towards his characters, and the freedom he gives them to take on adversity. Iqbal, Dor, Lakshmi, Dhanak… there are no absolutes in his universe as Kukunoor digs an estuary between heroes and villains, between Nature and nurture. After a creative quiescence, Kukunoor is back with The Hunt, a gripping series documenting the investigations that followed the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE in May, 1991. 'If I am going to put the camera on anyone, I am going to approach it with complete humanity first and then go through the layers. It is satisfying, and fun, if someone gets the second or third layer, but never at the cost of the first,' says Kukunoor. Kukunoor was a newly minted chemical engineer in Dallas when the suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur sent shock waves around the world. 'I was shocked and felt sad for the Gandhi family, but those were the days when the details came out only in the weekend edition of The New York Times.' A faithful adaptation of journalist Anirudhya Mitra's book Ninety Days, Kukunoor rates the series as his 'hardest assignment' in terms of writing. He did not want to 'touch anything political,' but when Sameer Nair of Applause Entertainment asked him to read the book, he felt he 'could navigate the space' without getting caught in any toxic minefield. 'It is my first adaptation of a book, and for the first time, I am dealing with true crime. Every word had to be parsed because several 'officers involved in the investigation are still around.' Led by senior IPS officer D Karthikeyan (Amit Sial), the series tracks how the Special Investigation Team that included a galaxy of top cops such as Amit Varma (Sahil Vaid), Amod Kanth (Danish Iqbal), K Ragothaman (Bagavathi Perumal), Radhagovind Raju (Girish Sharma) and Captain Ravindran (Vidyuth Garg) took 90 days to pin down the one-eyed conspirator, Sivarasan. 'There are several points of view. We decided to stick to Mitra's book and not engage with anyone,' adds Kukunoor. From the then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao telling officials that they possibly made a mistake by making Sivarasan, and not the LTTE chief Prabhakaran, as the face of the hunt to the inordinate delay of 36 hours in storming Sivarasan's final hideout on the outskirts of Bengaluru, there are a lot of dots that the series lays out for the audience to connect. 'I don't look into the motives. Like journalists do in a reportage, I have put out the information as honestly as possible. Those who understand the period would get more out of it, while for the lay audience it is a thriller with a slice of our history.' The form does not limit itself to a regular thriller either. 'Yes, there is no blazing climax, and there is no glory at the end. Everything stalls in the seventh episode, but that's how it was.' In the beginning, Kukunoor says, it was supposed to be a six-episode series, 'but when I got into the rhythm of the investigation, I decided to devote one episode to just explore the long wait before the denouement.' It makes for a gripping narrative probably because destiny plays a significant role in the whole episode. At one point, desperate to find the needle in the haystack, Amod talks about the need for Lady Luck. 'Absolutely, no screenwriter could have imagined it,' gushes Kukunoor. 'How would you explain a truck full of lumber breaks the security cordon and stops in front of the hideout?' Had the investigators not found alleged LTTE sympathiser Haribabu's camera that was used to record the blast, it could have been a perfect crime. 'Yes, more importantly, it survived the blast. The engineer in me feels he must have raised his hands to record the incident as the impact blew away everything below that level.' The series doesn't paint people in black and white and opens a window to the extremists' mindscape as well. Kukunoor delicately handles the cliche: 'one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.' A dreaded terrorist can also enjoy a Rajinikanth caper in between plotting an assassination and holding his cigarette like the superstar. 'It is the way I view the world as a filmmaker. I think that, if given any material that pointed fingers, I would not have attempted it. I would have asked, 'Ismei mujhe karna kya hai (what do I have to do here)'. For me, the excitement and thrill come when everyone comes out as grey. This is how I see the world.' During the investigation, the series also gently addresses the North-South stereotypes that most of us inadvertently carry. A Hyderabadi who spent his formative years in Tamil Nadu, Kukunoor says it stems from his understanding of the issue. 'In the boarding school, we would all sing Tamil songs, but because my classmates knew that I spoke Dakhni Hindi, they would grudgingly ask me to sing something in Hindi, like an item. For them, I was from the North, a bit north. My father, who worked with the UNICEF in Delhi, and someone who could easily express himself in Urdu because of his education during the Nizam period, was casually labelled a Madrasi because in North India, Hyderabad is considered part of the deep South. It irritated him no end, and he kept saying: 'Chaar badde state hai, ek nahin. (There are four big states in the South, not just one)'. With Raghothaman as his foil, Kukunoor explores the emotions of an officer investigating individuals from one's community. 'It is one of those things that I always wanted to understand. I wish I could ask this of Indian soldiers working for the colonial masters,' he muses. As a showrunner, Kukunoor is the happiest with the look of the series. He stripped the production design of all decorativeness to the bare minimum, taking us back in time. Shot extensively in Hyderabad and Mumbai, Kukunoor says, after a long time, he scouted locations in old Hyderabad's Kothiyan and Sultan Bazar to create the movement of LTTE cadres. 'Photographs of the period guided me. These officers were on the biggest case, but in photographs, they appear to be regular people. There is only one photograph where Karthikeyan is wearing shades and is walking in some style, but in others he is in safari suits with hands folded behind his back.' Chuffed by the response Sial has received for his sterling performance, Kukunoor says he prefers looks and acting skills over ethnicity. The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case is streaming on SonyLIV
