SonyLIV’s gripping new political thriller, ‘The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case’, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and produced by Applause Entertainment, premiered on July 4. The series is based on Anirudhya Mitra’s investigative book ‘Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins’, and stars Amit Sial in the lead. Set against the backdrop of one of India’s most tragic political events – the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi – the show follows the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with solving the case.

Tamil actor Bagavathi Perumal plays DSP Ragothaman in the series, a key member of the SIT. In this exclusive interview with Mathrubhumi, the actor reflected on the emotional depth of the role and how the project reshaped his understanding of the case.

He also shared his experience of working with cinematic legends Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, reflecting on what makes them exceptionally humble and universally respected.

Full Interview

What drew you to ‘The Hunt’? Was it the real-life assassination case, or the opportunity to work with Nagesh Kukunoor?

As an actor, it’s rare to come across real-life incidents being adapted into stories, and this one is among the most well-known and politically charged. Playing Ragothaman, the investigating officer (IO) in this case, was an opportunity I couldn't ignore. The IO is central to any investigation, and here, it’s about the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. This event not only shook India but also deeply impacted the politics of a neighbouring country.

Being a Tamilian, I’ve always been aware of the events surrounding the assassination – how the conspiracy was planned and executed. I’ve read several books, and the team from Applause Entertainment also provided a wealth of material.

I discovered some astonishing coincidences during my research. For instance, this was the first bombing incident in Tamil Nadu. The location where it happened was once called a "non-violent park" in Tamil. Ironically, that same location is now known as the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial. It was an event that shook our generation and changed everything.

Playing a character like Ragothaman in a Hindi web series was a true blessing.

Since you’re a Tamilian and already familiar with the case, were there moments during the research or filming that changed your perspective or revealed something new?

After working on this series, I was deeply moved by the investigators. Despite having no access to technology, limited manpower, time, or resources, they managed to crack this case purely through intelligence and dedication.

Before joining this project, I had read books and watched videos on the investigation. But only while working on this series did I fully grasp the scale and intricacy of their efforts. I gained immense respect for the SIT – their resilience was phenomenal. Within just 90 days, they managed to identify and capture most of the culprits responsible. That’s a remarkable achievement.

Was there anything you learned that isn't commonly known or publicly discussed?

Yes, several things. For example, before arriving in Sriperumbudur (where the incident took place), Gandhi was in Visakhapatnam. His helicopter wouldn't take off, and since he was a trained pilot, he considered flying it himself just to reach Tamil Nadu in time.

Despite being fully aware of the threat to his life and being advised not to travel, he chose to go. That was shocking to learn.

There were many strange coincidences, too – like a phone call made to the Indian High Commission in Colombo on the morning of May 21.

One man was arrested simply because he had bought a battery, unaware it would be used in a bomb. His friend had asked him for it. The case is full of bizarre and mysterious elements.

Even Congress party members – MPs or MLAs – who were supposed to share the stage with Gandhi weren’t present. Why? It all feels like a conspiracy. Watching the series leaves you with many unanswered questions.

One of the most striking aspects of Ragothaman’s character is how calm and methodical he remains under immense pressure. How did you approach that restraint on screen?

Interestingly, I had watched one of his interviews on YouTube, well before I even got the project. That’s how I first got intrigued. When this role came to me, it felt like fate.

I wanted to meet him personally and asked Nagesh’s team to help arrange it. Unfortunately, I found out he had passed away. Otherwise, I would have loved to speak with him and understand him more deeply.

I watched a couple of his interviews – one of them was around two hours long – and they gave me great insight into his personality. But what helped the most was the book the series is based on, and the direction I received from Nagesh.

Amit Sial also helped me a lot. When you work with actors who are so good at what they do, you just get pulled into their rhythm. You can't go wrong. Danish Iqbal was also wonderful – we built a strong bond. The three of us, Amit, Danish, and I, shared great chemistry. I call Amit and Danish "bhaiyya" – they supported me a lot throughout the shoot.

Many of your scenes are with Sahil Vaid, who plays SP Amit Verma. Your characters have contrasting energies. How did you create that dynamic on screen?

We’re completely different in our characters, and that contrast worked in our favour. Sahil is a fantastic actor and a fun person to work with.

Interestingly, he knows Tamil, so we used to talk in Tamil sometimes. I’d ask him to help me improve my Hindi, but he speaks it so fast that I’d say, “Forget it! Let’s talk in Tamil instead – I’ll learn Hindi later.”

We discovered that we have many connections. We shared a great vibe on set.

Beyond that, the book also helped us shape our characters. As actors, we improvise certain lines or expressions, but it all stems from the script. Without the text, we’re nothing.

Was there a particular scene that moved you personally?

Yes. There’s a scene where we visit the hospital to meet a wounded lady sub-inspector. Even though her injuries were created with makeup, they looked so real. The actress did a great job too, playing her part.

That scene really hit me. It made me realise how dangerous a policeman’s job can be. Seeing a colleague hurt in a bomb blast – something changes inside you. It showed me how fragile life is for people in uniform.

Another scene, where the SIT team visits the assassination site, was equally powerful. The location was recreated exactly, and it felt like I was truly transported back to that day. I had seen real photos of the site before, but standing there during filming, surrounded by the recreated chaos, it was haunting. It gave me a glimpse of what the real investigators must have felt.

What are your upcoming projects?

Nothing in Hindi for now. But in Tamil, I’m doing ‘Jailer 2’ with Nelson Dilipkumar and Rajinikanth. It’s a small role, but a very interesting one – and I have scenes with Rajini Sir.

I also have a film coming up with Shantanu Bhagyaraj.

What was your experience like working with Rajinikanth?

It was magical. Just last month, Mani Ratnam’s ‘Thug Life’ was released, in which I acted with Kamal Haasan. So this year, I’ve worked with both Rajini Sir and Kamal Sir. It’s something I never imagined!

Working with Rajini Sir felt like a dream. He doesn’t go out of his way to make you comfortable – he is comfortable, and that puts you at ease instantly. We were chatting like old friends on set. That kind of instant bond has never happened with anyone else before.

Usually, it takes days to build rapport with a co-actor, but with him, it was immediate. It felt like a lifelong friendship was formed in an instant. And he never demands respect – you give it to him naturally, out of admiration.

What I’ve observed about both Rajini Sir and Kamal Sir is that they allow you to be yourself. Some actors expect you to behave a certain way around them, but not these two. They genuinely enjoy seeing you for who you are, and that’s a rare and beautiful quality.