BOTTOM LINE
Raw Revenge Drama with a New Twist
PLATFORM
Sony Liv
RUNTIME
4.5 Hours (8 Episodes)
What Is the Film About?
Ashu is released from prison after 14 years for a murder in which he was possibly framed. He aims to exact revenge against his indifferent, wealthy brother Max and his pals Shardul and Pedro, the prime reasons behind his jail stint. He cunningly infiltrates Max’s life and real estate business, juggling police obligations with a personal vendetta. Who has the last laugh in this sibling rivalry?
Performances
Roshan Mathew’s decision to chase greener pastures in Hindi cinema, apart from Malayalam, is yielding impressive results. He sinks his teeth into the portrayal of Ashu, a socially awkward younger brother whose trauma fuels his bitterness. Mohit Raina, pitted against Roshan’s Ashu, has a relatively straightforward character arc but lends the necessary snobbishness to his portrayal.
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Sarah Jane Dias is far from a trophy wife in this tale about vengeful brothers and acts as the emotional anchor. The integrity of her role is brought to life through an authentic performance. Heeba Shah plays the rugged, well-meaning cop with impressive nuance. Ninand Kamat, Mahesh Krishna Shetty, Anant Jog, Trinetra Haldar and Usha Nadkarni also make their mark in decent roles.
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Analysis
Kankhajura, the latest show on Sony LIV, refers to centipedes (for those unaware: predators that prey on insects, using venom to paralyse their prey before consume it), metaphorically pointing to its bitter protagonist Ashu, whose childhood trauma manifests in dangerous ways, particularly after he’s released from jail for a crime he had not committed.
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The series, a faithful adaptation of the Israeli show Magpie, is a tale of two brothers who are wired differently and use contrasting methods to channel their anger. While Max is the outgoing, flamboyant elder brother who goes to any length to protect himself, Ashu tries to be the doting sibling, only to be ridiculed for his stammers, socially awkward behaviour, and the trauma transforms into a dangerous rage.
Initially, the show appears to depict a young man struggling to adapt to life beyond prison, craving social acceptance and love from his brother. Despite requests for a stable livelihood being ignored, Ashu takes a rebellious path, gradually dismantling his brother’s business empire, instigating its insiders against one another to rise up the ranks quickly.
Even though the protagonist’s motive is quite apparent from the initial episodes, his characterisation isn’t one-dimensional. He is given several opportunities to evolve, especially with the help of a female cop, Leena. He’s warmed by Nisha’s (Max’s wife) genuine concern for him and finds love with a childhood friend, Amy— relationships that could have healed him, but he chooses otherwise.
The story unapologetically operates in a vengeful terrain and provides glimpses of the characters’ pasts that force them to adopt such a path. The power games, especially as Ashu tries to facilitate a crucial real estate deal for Max and tries to win his trust gradually, are absorbing. One doesn’t necessarily empathise with Ashu, but can understand the place he comes from.
Throughout Ashu’s relentless efforts to destroy Max’s life, the journey remains far from easy. Impressively, the writing captures the character transitions seamlessly, pushing their limits to the hilt; they can be ruthless, vulnerable, impulsive, and resentful, showcasing the volatility of human behaviour. They are truly made to work hard for what they set out to achieve.
Despite employing well-known storytelling tropes, raw emotion takes centre stage, adding depth and authenticity. The characters aren’t given convenient black-and-white labels; none of them is beyond their vices. The choice to place both brothers in the same cell in the climax is nail-biting, where they’re left to negotiate their past. The chat truly sums up their destinies.
Externally, the Goa setting enriches the story with an authentic flavour, particularly highlighting the real estate mafia and the political nexus. Several characters beyond Max and Ashu get scope to shine — from Nisha to Leena, Pedro, Shardul, and even Amy (though with lesser screen time). The whole ultimately transcends the sum of its parts, and that’s its greatest win.
Kankhajura, effectively a Goan revenge tale dealing with sibling angst, makes for riveting viewing. Being an adaptation from an Israeli show, it is Indianised smartly, in terms of the writing, backdrop and the execution, while retaining the core emotion.
Music and Other Departments?
Roby Abhraham’s atmospheric, captivating score brings a new texture to the storytelling, enriching the characters’ actions and the on-screen drama. Director-cinematographer Rajeev Rai makes a sincere effort to capture a different dimension of Goa in this delectably shot show. Vaishak Ravi’s edits ensure a focused show with fluid storytelling, sans any major bumps. The action sequences are choreographed with precision, prioritising brain over brawn.
Highlights?
Good adaptation, writing
Smart casting, effective performances
Raw emotions
Drawbacks?
Takes time to grow on you
Gets predictable in a few portions (formulaic tropes)
Did I Enjoy It?
Mostly, yes
Will You Recommend It?
If you enjoy crime/revenge dramas, certainly yes
Kankhajura OTT Web Series Review by M9
