June 1, 2025: Kankhajura, streaming on SonyLIV, starring stellar actors Roshan Mathews and Mohit Raina doesn’t merely begin – it pulls you in. The first shot is not just cinematic bait; it’s a subtle declaration that this isn’t your average thriller. Directed by Chandan Arora and adapted from the Israeli series Magpie, Kankhajura walks a fine line between psychological drama and crime thriller, weaving together family wounds, simmering tension, and personal reckoning into an eight-episode narrative that feels both intimate and explosive.
Set against the textured backdrop of Goa – not the postcard version, but one steeped in politics, land wars, and secrets; Kankhajura is a story of re-entry, both literal and metaphorical. Ashu (Roshan Mathew), freshly released from a 14-year prison sentence, tries to reinsert himself into a world that’s moved on without him. His older brother Max (Mohit Raina), now a successful construction businessman, greets him with more suspicion than warmth. Their brotherhood, once rooted in love, is now mined with secrets, guilt, and carefully disguised contempt.
Roshan Mathew delivers a performance that is unsettling and magnetic. Ashu stutters through sentences but not through intentions. With twitchy eyes and soft smiles that never reach the eyes, Mathew infuses Ashu with fragility and latent menace. He’s a man broken by time, but not completely disarmed. This duality is what makes Ashu so compelling, you’re never sure whether to fear him or feel for him.
Mohit Raina, as Max, plays his role with stoic intensity, balancing empathy with detachment. The moments between the two brothers – awkward dinners, sharp silences, and flaring tempers – are some of the show’s finest. The supporting cast, including Sarah Jane Dias (as Max’s wife), Trinetra Haldar (as Ashu’s only friend), and Usha Nadkarni (playing a brutal matriarch), adds layered dimensions to an already complex narrative web.
But the real triumph of Kankhajura lies in its tonal discipline. It never rushes, even when the stakes escalate. Each episode feels like peeling a new layer of skin – sometimes tender, sometimes scarring. The use of Goa not just as scenery but as a living character adds richness. Arora resists sensationalism, instead choosing to slow-cook the plot, letting tension simmer and characters unravel.
Kankhajura Review: A Brotherhood Buried in Secrets and Smoke
That said, the show isn’t without its stumbles. The predictability of some plot turns and the slightly stretched pacing in the midsection may cause some to lose patience. Additionally, the “twist” isn’t quite a twist if you’ve been paying attention — and therein lies the show’s Achilles heel: it sometimes tells more than it shows.
Yet, even with these flaws, Kankhajura hits its mark, largely due to its acting ensemble and psychological texture. It’s not about what happened, but how it feels to live through the aftermath. The real question isn’t whether Ashu is a villain or a victim; it’s whether he was ever given a choice.
Kankhajura is a haunting exploration of fractured brotherhood and the invisible scars of the past. If you’re in the mood for something moody, meditative, and memorably performed — especially by the mesmerizing Roshan Mathew; this is a must-watch. Just don’t expect clear answers or clean resolutions.