In a landscape crowded with crime dramas and thrillers, Kankhajura slithers in with quiet intensity—and leaves a lasting sting. A Hindi adaptation of the Israeli series Magpie, the show finds a clever new metaphor in its title: the millipede. Much like its protagonist Ashu, a creature often overlooked, Kankhajura is small, subtle, and ultimately lethal.
At the heart of this layered story is a searing performance by Roshan Mathew, who brings Ashu to life with such nuance and magnetism that it’s hard to look away. The show may be built on an already-solid script, but it’s Roshan’s turn as the emotionally complex anti-hero that elevates Kankhajura into something extraordinary.
Plot Summary: A Man on the Brink
Ashu (Roshan Mathew), a stuttering, seemingly timid ex-convict, is released from prison after serving 14 years. He returns to Goa, where his elder brother Max (Mohit Raina) now runs a lucrative but shady construction business. Instead of a warm welcome, Ashu is treated as a liability—a ghost of the past that Max and his partners would rather forget.
Yet beneath the surface, Ashu harbors a storm. His desperate longing for approval—especially from Max—becomes the driving force of his actions. But Ashu is no fool. He’s a meticulous manipulator, and while his tormentors think he’s weak, the local ACP (Heeba Shah) sees potential. As the pressure builds and old wounds are reopened, Ashu snaps. And when he does, the consequences are brutal.
A Psychological Drama Masquerading as a Crime Thriller
While Kankhajura wears the cloak of a crime drama, its real strength lies in the emotional and psychological layers it peels back. The show deftly explores the hunger for acceptance, the scars of rejection, and how unresolved emotions can curdle into violence. It’s a deeply uncomfortable watch at times—not because of the gore, but because of how close it hits to home.
The script doesn’t spoon-feed its audience. It trusts them to follow Ashu’s subtle cues and emotional shifts. Much like Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul, the show lets us in on the protagonist’s mind games. You’re not just watching a man lose control—you’re invited into the very machinery of his manipulation.
Roshan Mathew: A Revelation
Roshan Mathew delivers what might just be the finest performance of his career. His portrayal of Ashu is a masterclass in restraint, vulnerability, and menace. He oscillates effortlessly between heartbreak and horror, turning the audience’s emotions on their head. One moment, you pity Ashu; the next, you fear him.
It’s a challenging role—one that could easily slip into caricature—but Roshan brings depth and ambiguity, making Ashu both repulsive and sympathetic. This is a performance that doesn’t just stand out—it redefines what the actor is capable of.
Supporting Cast and Direction
Mohit Raina is equally compelling as Max. Shedding his mythological image, he brings to life a man consumed by ambition and guilt. His portrayal steers clear of cliché, allowing Max to feel real, flawed, and human.
Mahesh Shetty and Heeba Shah deliver strong performances in supporting roles, especially Shah as the determined ACP trying to use Ashu for her own ends. The direction, meanwhile, leans into atmospheric tension, using Goa’s contrast of beauty and decay to mirror the story’s moral ambiguity.
A Remake Done Right
Magpie may have provided the skeleton, but Kankhajura builds an entirely new creature on top of it. It’s not just a translation—it’s a transformation. The show respects the source material while injecting it with local flavor, culture, and character, making it feel fresh and distinct.
Remakes are often dismissed as uninspired, but Kankhajura is proof that when done with care, a remake can outshine even its original.
Verdict:
Kankhajura is a compelling, emotionally rich thriller that offers more than just plot twists. It’s a character study, a psychological deep-dive, and most of all, a showcase for one of India’s most talented actors. With Roshan Mathew at the helm, this is not just another crime drama—it’s one of the best shows of the year.
Rating: ★★★★½