Latest news with #TheHunt:TheRajivGandhiAssassinationCase
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Operation Ghostbuster: Major General VK Dutta on the hunt he led for Rajiv Gandhi's assassins
Operation Ghostbuster. This was the codename given to the hunt for a five-foot-four-inch tall bespectacled 'one-eyed jack' after Rajiv Gandhi was blown up by a suicide bomber on May 21, 1991 at a rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur. That 90-day manhunt to locate Sivarasan, who landed in Tamil Nadu with Rs 19 lakh worth of gold biscuits and a hit squad to take out the ex-Prime Minister, is back in the spotlight after The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case aired on OTT and began hogging attention. What drove the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to mount such an elaborate plot where they ended up putting the lives of so many of their committed cadres at risk without any certainty of success? What about the suicide bomber Dhanu? How did she participate in dry runs and then undertake a bus journey with plastic explosives (RDX) strapped to her body knowing she would have to embrace certain death? Didn't she flinch at all at any point? More importantly, how did the LTTE get hold of the RDX? And what about Sivarasan? Why did he linger on after May 21? Even make a trip to Tirupati in between. To thank gods or seek blessings for another mission? The 'ottrai kannu aasami' (one-eyed mastermind) as he came to be infamously known went into hiding only after a photo of Dhanu at Sriperumbudur on the fateful night appeared in a newspaper on May 29. This was eight days after the suicide bombing. A careful study of the archives reveal that it took a while for the Special Investigation Team to piece together what had happened after the bomb went off at around 10:20 pm on May 21, 1991. India hadn't seen a suicide bombing before that night. In fact, even war-torn Sri Lanka had only seen their first suicide bombing four years ago—in July 1987. Newspapers next day only spoke of Rajiv dying in an explosion. The fact that a suicide bomber was to blame would only be discovered thanks to Tamil Nadu's forensic chief, Professor P Chandra Sekharan. Thalaivar enge? Around two hours before the blast, Rajiv Gandhi had arrived—smile firmly in place—at the airport in Chennai and was greeted by a Tamil actress with a zari chawl, according to a report in our newspaper. He had proclaimed confidently that "there is no need for me to join hands with any party to form the government". But did he have a premonition of the fate that awaited him at Sriperumbudur? Neena Gopal, the last journalist to interview Rajiv, recently wrote in the of one of his last observations to her. "Have you noticed how every time any South Asian leader of import rises to a position of power or is about to achieve something for himself or his country, he/she is cut down, attacked, killed…? Look at Mrs Gandhi (his mother Indira), Sheikh Mujib, look at Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, at Zia-ul-Haq, (Srimavo) Bandaranaike," the ex-PM asked Neena. Minutes later, he had himself joined that list. The lack of security at Sriperumbudur was glaring. Our reports spoke of zero frisking and almost no metal detectors. This despite Palestine Liberation Organisation chief Yasser Arafat having delivered a warning of there being a threat to Rajiv's life. This despite the known antipathy of the LTTE towards the ex-PM ever since he had sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka in 1987. Tamil Nadu Congress Chief Vazhapadi Ramamurthy and GK Moopanar were among those running around in search for Rajiv shouting "Thalaivar enge?" (Where is our leader?) once they recovered from the shock of the blast that claimed as many as 16 lives. A lucky break and the hunt for the assassins The hunt that followed took off slowly. By July 1, a National Security Guard commando unit was put in charge of capturing Sivarasan, whose identification as the key conspirator and the team leader was set off by the chance discovery of a 35 mm Chinon camera belonging to Hari Babu. It's another matter that Hari Babu would turn out to be a man recruited by the LTTE's Nithrasanam (Reality) unit to document the assassination. But a 10-frame-sequence shot by the dead photographer in the immediate moments before the blast was pure investigation gold. Leading the crack unit assigned the responsibility of capturing the assassination mastermind Sivarasan and his team was the now retired Major General Vijay Kumar Dutta. Then a Colonel, he had known Rajiv Gandhi from 1984 when he was the head of the unit tasked with the new Prime Minister's security immediately after Indira Gandhi's assassination. "Rajiv was very pragmatic. Very upright. Very modern," recalls General Dutta, who was in charge of Rajiv's security during the latter's first six months as Prime Minister. He also recollected the late PM's love for driving and automobiles and of how he would stay awake till 3-4 am immersed in his work. "I believe Rajiv would have come back to power in that election if he had not been assassinated," he stresses. General Dutta, who lamented the withdrawal of the Special Protection Group cover for Rajiv after he stepped down as PM, went on to reveal how the team that carried out the hunt for the assassins was assembled. Six ranking officers, eight junior commissioned officers and 40 commandos, who went around in muftis and could melt into the crowd without attracting attention, were selected by him. General Dutta had told the then Home Minister SB Chavan that his team's aim was to capture Sivarasan alive. "But if the life of any of my commandos came under threat, I told him we will take the LTTE men out." The team had also been armed with an antidote to cyanide poisoning, "a first in the world but one that had to be administered intravenously within 30 seconds for it to take effect". It was a mission with no margins of error. Posters seeking information on Sivarasan were plastered everywhere, including behind buses and autorickshaws. General Dutta's team was flooded with hundreds of calls daily, even from people who wanted to settle a score with their neighbours, saying Sivarasan had been sighted at multiple addresses! "So, we decided to base our searches on the last confirmed location of Sivarasan. From there, we started drawing a circle of 250 kilometres radius and five hours. We decided that we will only concentrate on areas that fell within that radius while launching our searches," General Dutta remembers. "Even after this, we ended up carrying out three to four raids every day," he adds. Broke the backbone of the LTTE These raids saw us "slowly and gradually uprooting the entire LTTE network in Tamil Nadu", says General Dutta. One of the most interesting discoveries he recounts stumbling upon was of a LTTE grenade factory in Coimbatore. "This only happened because three boys on a motorcycle were intercepted by a traffic policeman. When they were caught, the boys tried to bribe that policeman with a large amount of money. This immediately aroused his suspicion. Why was he being offered so much? So, he informed the police, who found that these boys are from the LTTE. "Soon, the cops informed the Special Investigation Team who relayed the information to us. And you will be surprised. They were actually assembling hand grenades from parts manufactured in different factories. "Somewhere a trigger was being made. Somewhere the plastic body was being made. Somewhere the spring was being made. Somewhere the cap was being made. "No factory had the complete picture. They were each told these were vehicle spare parts. But when the whole thing was assembled, it turned into a lethal hand grenade. "That was the kind of ingenuity the LTTE had. They were using our infrastructure in Tamil Nadu, various small factories here and there and making stuff that served the military needs of the LTTE without any of these factories being the wiser of it," General Dutta remembers. He admits the LTTE also had a lot of ground-level sympathy. "There was definitely a lot of sympathy for the LTTE cadres because all said and done Sri Lanka was ill-treating Tamils there. They had a genuine cause for fighting for their rights," he observes. On the trail of Sivarasan and the final standoff The first major safe house that Sivarasan fled from was at 158, Muthamamil Nagar, Kodungaiyur in Chennai. After that he used many LTTE safe houses in Tamil Nadu. "Most of these safe houses were in newly-developed colonies and so people hadn't settled down there. It helped the LTTE get these houses at cheaper rates and also let their man stay under the radar," says General Dutta. Finally, when Sivarasan felt the hunt in Tamil Nadu was too hot to handle, he got into a tanker that was to take him to his final hideouts. "He was hidden in a capsule slipped into the tanker" and that was how the 'one-eyed jack' reached Bengaluru after travelling hundreds of kilometres. Finally, at the 'safe house' in Konanakunte outside Bengaluru a "milk vendor chanced upon Sivarasan" and informed the Karnataka police, who immediately reached the house and surrounded it. The commandos arrived at the house on August 19, but a 36-hour wait was to ensue. The reason cited was Colonel Dutta's absence. He had gone to Delhi for two days to oversee operations elsewhere. But as soon as he was informed by Captain Raveendran from his team that Sivarasan had been located, Colonel Dutta asked his director general to give them the go ahead for the storming of the safe house. Instead, he was told to get into a BSF Avro aircraft at the Palam airport from where he flew to Gwalior to pick up the cyanide antidote and reached Bengaluru at around 4:20-4:30 pm the next morning. As soon as he was at Konanakunte, Colonel Dutta ordered his team to storm the house. "It was a single-storey house with a roof at the top. From a neighbouring house, we placed a ladder to go over the roof. One entry from the front, one from the rear. We blew open the doors and entered. Sivarasan and the others were lying dead. Sivarasan had not only consumed cyanide, but also had a bullet in his head. He was not in disguise when we found him dead. So that is where the hunt for him came to an end," General Dutta recalls.
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.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Amit Sial and Nagesh Kukunoor Interview: 'Wouldn't mind playing Hitler on screen'
Speaking about his recently released series, The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case, Nagesh Kukunoor says with a smile, 'I have done my best to break my image over the years." The filmmaker is known for making tender, quietly reflective films about the underdogs and marginalised, be it Iqbal (2005), which revolves around a deaf and mute person who dreams of becoming a cricketer or Dhanak (2015), which explores an innocent bond between a brother and sister. In recent years, however, Nagesh has started exploring darker political realities through his stories, like in the series City of Dreams. He enjoys the freedom that comes with OTT. 'We have been able to push the boundaries, tackle some topics, which I would never be able to do in a theatrical format,' he says. Yet, while making a show based on real-events like The Hunt, Nagesh was 'wary of the political space'. He says, 'We've entered an era of self-censorship a long time ago. So even as writers, there's a constant question that you ask yourself of whether I should say this or not. When I am doing a fictional political show, it's all okay. But when you step out into the real world, you don't know whose toes you'll step on, so you want to steer clear of that.' The filmmaker's focus is clear in the show. It plays out more like a police procedural than a political drama, adapted from the book Ninety Days by investigative journalist Anirudhya Mitra. The series explores the investigation that followed the assassination of the former prime minister. 'We all know that Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated and we all know that eventually it ended with arrests of those involved. But it is the 'how' that I never knew,' says Nagesh. The filmmaker was in the process of getting a job in Atlanta, USA, in 1991 when the assassination took place. He remembers the shock he felt after hearing the news. 'I quite liked Rajiv Gandhi because he was one of those who had a smiling face. He was a man who presented himself well,' recalls Nagesh. Even Amit Sial, the actor who plays DR Kaarthikeyan, the IPS officer who led the investigation team, was in 'disbelief' when he came to know of the assassination. 'I was just fifteen then, so I wasn't much aware of the reason behind it,' says Amit. 'It was only later that I started reading more. So, my knowledge about the incident when I was offered the role for the series was quite rich.' The show has a methodical approach to its storytelling, where the filmmaking stays minimal, serving just as a means to bring out the facts about the real story. There is no attempt to elevate the emotions either through the background score or the performances. Nagesh feels that the approach comes from how he sees the world. 'I want my actors to keep things real. Besides, the reality of what happened was just so dramatic that just putting my actors in that kind of space was enough to tell the story. I didn't want to do anything in the name of sensationalism,' he says. Amit adds that Nagesh always ensured the rhythm of the performances remained intact. 'Sensationalising the incident would have been a grave injustice to the real people involved. Making it unnecessarily jingoistic with loud music would have taken the reality away,' he says.
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First Post
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Netflix's 'Black Warrant,' 'Criminal Justice,' 'The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case': It's a hat-trick for Applause Entertainment
Each of these series sparked widespread discussion and trended across platforms, reinforcing Applause's reputation as a creative force that thrives on bold ideas, socially resonant themes, and genre-defining storytelling. read more In a remarkable first half of the year, Applause Entertainment, a venture of the Aditya Birla Group, has delivered three of 2025's most talked-about and widely watched shows across India's leading OTT platforms. Black Warrant on Netflix, Criminal Justice: A Family Matter on JioHotstar, and The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case on Sony LIV, have not only dominated streaming charts but also emerged as fan favourites and garnered critical acclaim. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Each of these series sparked widespread discussion and trended across platforms, reinforcing Applause's reputation as a creative force that thrives on bold ideas, socially resonant themes, and genre-defining storytelling. As the studio completes its 8th year this August, with a prolific slate of over 55+ titles across genres and formats, Applause Entertainment stands as a testament to the power of team work and long-term creative vision. From Scam 1992 and Criminal Justice to Tanaav and Black Warrant, among others, the studio has built a dynamic and diverse storytelling ecosystem, one that continues to set benchmarks and reimagine what premium Indian content can look like. Reflecting on the studio's recent successes, Sameer Nair, Managing Director, Applause Entertainment, 'At Applause, our job is to keep telling stories ambitious, audacious, disruptive, and rooted in their imagined reality. The medium may change but strong storytelling always finds its way to audiences. Black Warrant with Vikramaditya Motwane, Criminal Justice with Rohan Sippy, and The Hunt with Nagesh Kukunoor, each tackle very different worlds, yet they've all struck a chord. That's the thrill of this game; not just chasing hits but working with diverse creators to build a body of work that entertains audiences and creates memories. For us, it's about staying curious, taking creative risks, and constantly raising the bar.' Applause Entertainment continues to evolve, with an exciting pipeline that includes new series, subsequent seasons, movies, documentaries, and passion project, 'Gandhi', with Hansal Mehta. From creating landmark IPs and powerful franchises to expanding the talent ecosystem, the studio strives to remain at the forefront of India's streaming revolution, building a legacy of storytelling that is fearless, relevant, and timeless. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Rajiv Gandhi's own loyalists tried to ‘derail and manipulate' assassination investigation: Real-life investigator played by Amit Sial barred any interference
Director Nagesh Kukunoor has said in interviews that he wasn't interested in delving into the political aspects of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991, about which he recently made a streaming series. Titled The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case, the series features an ensemble cast of character actors. Amit Sial plays DR Karthikeyan, who was tasked with leading a Special Investigation Team and identifying the perpetrators of the attack. Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in Tamil Nadu; the investigation found that the attack was carried out by operatives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Tamil militant organisation based in Sri Lanka. In an old interview with Prasar Bharti, the real-life Karthikeyan spoke about the investigation, and the challenges he faced. He said that he agreed to lead the SIT at great personal risk, because it could have been a no-win situation. Not only did he have to bring the perpetrators to justice, he was also painting a target on his back. He said that not many people wanted the responsibility, but he saw it as a service to the nation, and agreed. Asked what challenged him the most about the investigation, he said that it was the 'disappointing' internal interference. Also read – How Rajiv Gandhi's decision to send troops to Sri Lanka cost him his life He said, 'There were many attempts to derail the investigation, to manipulate the investigation. But I made it clear that there would be no political interference. Everyone was interested to know who killed him, but in the process, they also wanted to involve some opponent. It was a big disappointment to see people… I thought everybody would be anxious to find out who killed the most charismatic leader of that time and bring those people to book. But I found that, in the process, even those who claimed to be his loyalists were more interested in trying to fix up those in opposition parties.' Karthikyen went on to serve as the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and said that he's proud to have gotten convictions in the Gandhi assassination case, because he presented the Courts with hard evidence. The Indian Express rated the show highly; a portion of the review read, 'The Hunt is a welcome addition to shows looking back at recent times, which attempt to pin-point historical and political flashpoints in India with archival documentary footage.'
