The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case

I haven't read the book 80 Days, but after watching The Hunt, I'm convinced this will stand out as one of the most perfect series in the history of Indian OTT. It's not just a retelling - it's a visceral, intelligent, and deeply human portrayal of one of India's darkest chapters.

I still vividly remember the disturbing magazine covers following Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. The traumatic visuals from that day were so intense, I doubt today's media could ever publish such images. Watching this series brought those memories flooding back. The recreation is so detailed that it blurs the line between fiction and documentary.

One particular moment that blew my mind was the poster showing Dhanu and Sivasasan standing just moments before the blast. I couldn't believe it wasn't a real photograph - it was recreated with such eerie perfection, it'll give you chills. That level of precision and storytelling is rare.

I was optimistic before starting the series, and hats off to Nagesh Kukunoor for justifying every bit of that hope. He's crafted something that's not only informative but also emotionally gripping.

The sequence of the shootout between Sivasasan and the NSG commandos instantly took me back to the Doordarshan clips we saw back then - raw, chaotic, and unforgettable. The series handles it with both realism and intensity.

The ending left a lump in my throat. Watching our brave officers and soldiers go through so much, only to face endless delays and bureaucratic hurdles, was disheartening. It's a stark reminder of how often heroes are let down by the very system they serve.

Performance-wise, Amit Sial is terrific as the senior officer - calm, composed, and commanding. But honestly, Sahil Vaid outshone everyone in my view. His portrayal had layers, energy, and raw emotion that stayed with me even after the credits rolled.

SonyLIV and the entire team behind The Hunt deserve every bit of praise. This isn't just a series - it's a benchmark for how true events should be told on screen.

It was too interesting and engage that I binge-watched the whole series in one sitting. All the actors have done their jobs excellently. No over-acting or extra drama. The no-makeup look of the female actors who communicated with their eyes more than with their dialogues was amazing. The costumes were perfect. Although there was violence here and there, there was zero vulgarity. The dramatised version of one of the most sensational assassination cases of India brought before my eyes the real events that happened in 1991 when I was a schoolgirl. If you are a fan of crime thrillers, please go for it without any second thoughts!

I watched 'The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case' with my parents over 2 days. Here are my thoughts:

Pros: This series is undoubtedly good, especially since it's based on a novel. I didn't experience a single dull moment, and the actors, including Amit Sial and Sahil Vaid, delivered outstanding performances. The location and casting were very realistic, and Nagesh Kukunoor's direction was top-notch.

Cons: One major issue I faced while watching with my parents was the language barrier. Although I set the language to Hindi, about 50% of the dialogue was in Tamil, 30% in Hindi, and 20% in English. The subtitles were only available in English, which made it difficult for my parents to follow the conversation since they don't know Tamil or English. Despite their interest in the series, they missed out on about 70% of the dialogue. I didn't understand one thing here when you are giving language option of Hindi why you are speaking in Tamil and in English when there was option of Tamil language already.

Additionally, it would have been great if the series had provided more details about what happened to each member captured in the series.

Overall, it's puzzling why the series didn't stick to the chosen language. Despite this, the series is worth watching, especially for its historical significance.

Excellent presentation No politics no propaganda. Shot like any other crime thriller .

Best in recent times . Every moment worth watching.

Casting is excellent,the pace of each episode is just right , the research is appropriate for the presentation. The characters are very well presented. It's important for the country to know the character and integrity that existed in that time and in the absence of sophisticated equipment ,it was all left to human coordination and network .the sets are good , the script is well done and has no rhetoric. The music could have been a little subdued and looks a little over but the overall experience more than makes up for it.

I deducted one star because the real incident of 21st May, which was central to the story, wasn't portrayed with the depth and realism it deserved. The sequence felt rushed and lacked the emotional intensity expected from such a historic moment. Additionally, the Hindi version was a major letdown though promoted as Hindi, around 98% of the dialogues were still in Tamil. As a result, I had to rely entirely on subtitles, which took away from the actors' performances. Suggestion: If offering multiple language versions, please ensure proper dubbing so viewers can fully engage with the content in their preferred language.