Kankhajura Review: Roshan Mathew's phenomenal solo symphony in a tale of twists

Kankhajura Review: Story – Ashu (Roshan Mathew) is finally out of jail after serving a 14-year sentence for being found guilty of a murder. His brother Max (Mohit Raina) is excited to bring his younger sibling back home, but his friends Pedro (Ninad Kamat) and Shardul (Mahesh Shetty) aren't. Max, Pedro, and Shardul are building a massive complex in Goa meant to lure the rich, but there’s more darkness than meets the eye. As Ashu tries to include himself in the gang of these three men like he did in his youth, they repel his presence, pushing him to take violent measures to fit into the boy club that has only bullied him.

Kankhajura Review:

When stories of flawed human beings are told on screen—whether big or small—what often draws us in is the journey that has shaped these characters. If the narrative is layered with metaphor, it becomes even more fascinating because it suggests there's more than what meets the eye. Now add Roshan Matthew to that mix. A man who has already shown us his brilliance with characters pushed to the edge. Remember the guy from Moothon, who was not only being pushed to the extreme by society but also by himself, as his sexuality was not something his peers could digest? That was a performance hard to surpass. But trust Matthew to outdo himself—his competition is with himself. Kankhajura (an adaptation of Magpie) is a testament to his immense calibre and the magic he can conjure with luscious characters that offer him enough substance.

Here is a man who has spent a bit of his teenage years and most of his youth behind bars. Fourteen years in prison for a crime he did not commit. But do not look at him with sympathy—he doesn’t ask for any. Multiple perspectives on Ashu all seem to conclude with one word: parasite. A parasite with a singular focus, and there’s no way to sway him. Like a kankhajura (centipede), he is fragile but deadly and clings to you until he has sucked out every drop of life. In Ashu’s case, all he has ever wanted is to be wanted—particularly by his elder brother Max, who, in turn, has always used him as a pawn; a joker and a scapegoat to save himself. Meanwhile, watch all these fresh releases on Lionsgate, Zee5, and more.

What happens when Ashu’s bubble bursts is Kankhajura. Directed by Chandan Arora (Striker, Main, Meri Patni...Aur Woh!), Parikshhit Jha (editor on Delhi Crime, Tabbar), and written by Chandan with Sandeep Jain (Tabbar, Kanneda) and Upendra Sidhaye (Drishyam, Me Vasantrao), Kankhajura tells the story of a man whose heart may be fragile, but whose conviction for being accepted by his brother is rock solid. That is all he’s ever wanted, and he’ll go to any extent to get it—even if that involves murder.

But what truly makes Kankhajura compelling is how Ashu is portrayed. Yes, he’s dangerous. But his weapons are psychological, not physical. The blood is never directly on his hands, yet he’s somehow always responsible. You never see him throw a punch hard enough to mark him as physically lethal, but it’s his tactics that make him menacing.

The entire show revolves around him and his uncanny ability to survive anything. He is a cockroach in the metaphorical sense—able to endure the harshest circumstances and still come out on top. When the world once again tries to shove him to the margins, he refuses to accept that fate and chooses to revolt. Kankhajura becomes a fascinating character study of Ashu, who grows more layered with each twist and revelation. And at the centre of it all is a phenomenal Roshan Mathew. This performance is one of the most striking of the year. He’s like a chameleon in this grim world—unpredictable and impossible to pin down.

The issue, however, begins when the focus shifts from Ashu to the rest of the cast. The writing, once it drifts away from Ashu, begins to paint the world around him with broader strokes and less nuance. The details become sparse, and the filler scenes between major revelations sometimes feel missing. This undermines the impact of the twists that follow. This imbalance becomes especially noticeable toward the end, where the screenplay suddenly accelerates, rushing to wrap everything up. Compared to the slow-burning start, this shift feels jarring and poorly paced.

That said, there are numerous moments where you can feel the craftsmanship behind Kankhajura, echoing the pedigree of shows like Tabbar and Delhi Crime. The editing remains tight and compelling for the most part—especially when it dives into Ashu’s haunting past and present demons. Mohit Raina as Max delivers a solid performance and embodies the complex, emotionally stunted older brother well. Ninad Kamat as Pedro and Mahesh Shetty as Shardul don’t have much range in their characters, but both actors bring out their roles to their fullest potential. Trinetra's evolution as an actor is visible and a crucial step towards a better and inclusive time. 

While Kankhajura has its missteps, especially in the latter half, the foundation remains strong thanks to Roshan Matthew. His portrayal of Ashu is magnetic and multi-dimensional—easily one of the standout performances this year. The metaphor of the centipede is smartly woven into the narrative and keeps the show intellectually engaging even when the plot gets uneven.

It’s also important to note how Kankhajura handles its themes—loyalty, identity, betrayal, and the desperate need for belonging. These are human emotions at their rawest, and they are presented through a protagonist who is neither wholly good nor evil. He only knows how to stay alive, and that he does best. 

Kankhajura Review: Final Verdict

Kankhajura proves why Roshan Matthew's talent deserves wider recognition. This is a show that may stumble in parts, but its core—a character-driven psychological drama wrapped in metaphor—is worth your time. A flawed but memorable series that hits hard and stays with you long after the final scene.

Kankhajura premieres on SonyLIV on May 30, 2025. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and all things streaming and film.