Kankhajura, streaming on Sony Liv, is the Hindi adaptation of the Israeli series Magpie and is already a hot topic.
Roshan Mathew is the reason to watch. As Ashu, a man released from prison after serving 14 years for a murder he claims he didn’t commit, Mathew is a revelation – his subtle expressions and quiet intensity make Ashu both creepy and fascinating.
Reviewers are unanimous in praising Mathew’s ability to make you feel what he wants you to feel, just like Ashu makes others feel what he wants them to feel.
But while Mathew’s Ashu shines, the rest of the cast and story falters. The first half is a great mystery and psychological thriller, but the second half is a mess.
Critics say the supporting cast – Mohit Raina, Ninad Kamat, Mahesh Shetty – are underdeveloped. Their characters feel one-dimensional compared to Ashu’s layered self and the story loses its grip as it rushes to the end.
Even strong performances from Sarah Jane Dias and Trinetra Haldar are wasted due to weak writing. Despite all this, Kankhajura’s rawness and Roshan Mathew’s performance is worth watching.
According to the critics it’s unsettling and engaging even as the story wobbles. Most agree: Kankhajura is a good, if uneven, thriller and Roshan Mathew is a must-watch.
It gets 3.5 stars from most critics who recommend it for Mathew’s performance and the mood of the show but warn that the writing could have been better.
