KanKhajura review: Exceptionally performed and fascinatingly intriguing psychological thriller

KanKhajura review

Writer director Chandan Arora along with his co-writer Upendra Sidhaye take one of the most popular genres and makes it intoxicatingly fresh, ‘KanKhajura’ in its haunting, deceiving, intensely layered web questions the idea of morality, how far can anyone go for a revenge, whether revenge justifies the crime and does our ideas of good and evil needs a rethink.

The prime characters in ‘KanKhajura’ look familiar, they are from our daily walk of life but so unpredictable, especially the lead Ashu. The eight episodes series begins with Ashu’s incredible ability to get into the minds of people and we see Roshan Mathew doing the incredible and its just the beginning. As Ashu moves into Max’s house and his elder brother’s world, he meets Max’s friends the aggressive Shardul (Mahesh Shetty), the cunning but controlled Pedro (Ninad Kamat). Ashu’s adores Max and Max is everything for him, the fragile vulnerable Ashu has always been bullied by Shardul and Pedro, Max also doesn,t finds him fit in his world. Max’s wife Nisha (Sarah Jane Dias) has a soft corner for Max.

As Ashu’s struggles for acceptance from Max other interesting characters Aimee (Trinetra Haldar) and Deshmukh Bai (Usha Nadkarni) come along to add their unique flavors. Deshmukh Bai – the local leader/gangster/politician is a hurdle in Max’s dream project, how all these characters cross each other’s path is told in a mesmerizing tale where the tension, intensity is felt throughout. Even if the tension is not seen its definitely felt juxtaposing with Ashu’s PTSD’s attacks. It’s hard to predict what will happen next.

Amazingly, on one hand ‘KanKhajura’ is not very much about what Ashu, Max and Co are really up to, it’s about what are they doing and now what will they do next? And on the other hand, the audience has some info of their desires, goals, or feelings and this micro – macro approach ups the ante and makes ‘KanKhajura’ a cut above.

Interestingly, “KhanKhajura’ also serves as a metaphor in to an extent if we take the characters physicality and behavior traits that exposes the fact that how the powerful control the weak and vulnerable who look upon them with hope and acceptance - Max and his friend’s V/S Ashu. How the political, monetary, and other powers forces people to act as per their will.

Performances

Roshan Mathew – a performance to remember lifelong, Roshan Mathew deserves an award for this incredibly mesmerizing knock out portrayal of Ashu. A true chameleon, a master is in action here. Pure pure brilliance.

Mohit Raina is outstanding as Max, Roshan Mathew’s heroics as Ashu would have been incomplete if Mohit Raina as Max was not that convincingly cool and deadly.

Sarah Jane Dias as Max’s wife is amazingly natural, the actress also gets some good meat in her role and she nails it.

Mahesh Shetty as Shardul is very good.

Ninad Kamat as Pedro is fabulous.

Trinetra Haldar makes her presence felt.

Usha Nadkarni is fantastic.

KanKhajura review – final words

‘KanKhajura’ is another gem coming from Sony LIV, after making mark with the indie noir “Black White and Gray – Love Kills’ their shows based on Israeli blockbusters are going great guns as well, After ‘ Tanaav’ (‘Fauda’), ‘Your Honour’ (‘Kvodo’), ‘KanKhajura’ based on Magpie (‘HaMedovev’ – original name) by director Chandan Arora is an achievement in storytelling and of course acting.

Going with a deserving four stars

Produced by Ajay Rai and directed by Chandan Arora, ‘KanKhajura’ has been reimagined under license from yes Studios by creators Adam Bizanski, Omri Shenhar, and Dana Eden and produced by Donna and Shula Productions. ‘KanKhajura’ will be streaming exclusively on Sony LIV from May 30, 2025.