Kankhajura Season 1 Review: A slow-burn thriller with emotional depth

Time of India

30-05-2025

Story: After 14 years in prison, Ashu is freed under a deal with the police. Rejected by his powerful real estate tycoon brother Max, Ashu vows revenge on him and those who bullied and harmed him in the past.
Review: After successfully adapting Your Honor and Fauda for Indian audiences, the makers now turn to the acclaimed Israeli series, Magpie, to deliver Kankhajura (Hindi for centipede) — a psychological thriller that explores the emotional wreckage of fractured families, betrayal, and the murky terrain between guilt and survival. Set against the deceptively tranquil backdrop of Goa, the series unfolds as a brooding character study more than an outright crime drama.
The story revolves around Ashu (Roshan Mathew), a man released from prison after 14 years under the condition that he serves as a covert informant for the police. But Ashu's release is anything but liberating. Hoping to reconnect with his elder brother Max (Mohit Raina), a real estate baron with a polished exterior and murky allegiances, Ashu finds himself instead disowned and isolated. This rejection catalyses his downward spiral and sets the stage for a personal vendetta that drives much of the series' emotional core.
Director Chandan Arora establishes a strong tone early on, using a measured pace and intimate direction to draw viewers into the psychological turmoil of the characters. The first few episodes are especially taut, rich in subtext and psychological nuance. Arora wisely leans into the show's emotional beats, allowing tension to simmer as past traumas, sibling rivalry, and unresolved guilt resurface.
Roshan Mathew delivers a deeply committed performance as Ashu. His portrayal of a man haunted by his past and manipulated in the present is both subtle and stirring. Mohit Raina is compelling as Max, bringing layers of charm, ruthlessness, and internal conflict. The supporting cast is equally effective—Sarah Jane Dias is quietly impactful as Max's wife, Nisha, while Mahesh Shetty and Ninad Kamat convincingly portray Max's morally ambiguous allies, Shardul and Pedru. Trinetra Haldar and Usha Nadkarni provide depth and emotional grounding, while Heeba Shah's Inspector Leena adds a welcome edge to the police narrative.
Cinematographer Rajeev Ravi captures Goa not as a sun-drenched paradise but as a place of shadows and secrets. The dusky palette and unhurried camerawork complement the show's reflective tone, turning the setting into an unspoken character.
That said, Kankhajura isn't without its flaws. While the storytelling is atmospheric and intelligent, it occasionally loses momentum. Certain subplots meander and some character arcs lack resolution, suggesting the narrative may be more effective if streamlined. The show also doesn't quite deliver the urgency or cliffhangers typical of the thriller genre, opting instead for a slow burn—an approach that may not appeal to all viewers.
Still, the show succeeds in capturing the fragility of human relationships and the difficulty of escaping one's past. Its themes of sibling rivalry, emotional repression, and moral compromise resonate, and its Indian adaptation lends a raw emotional texture to the original Israeli framework.
Kankhajura may not be an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but it is a thoughtful, character-driven drama with enough intrigue and depth to keep you invested across its eight episodes. It's a decent blend of noir and psychological introspection—well worth a watch for those who prefer slow-burning narratives over shock-and-awe spectacle.