Kankhajura Review: SonyLIV’s Taut Thriller Reinvents The Family Drama Formula

Check out our full review of SonyLIV’s new crime thriller Kankhajura. Find out about the great cast, engaging plot and why this psychological thriller is a must-see.

📣 Kankhajura: A Bloody Dive Into SonyLIV’s New Spine-Chiller

Kankhajura, SonyLIV’s new baby, has hit the web on May 30, 2025 and is already being discussed by OTT buffs. This Hindi adaptation of the Israeli series Magpie gets into a tangle over family dynamics, trust and the criminally sinister shadows of the past.

🧠 Plot Overview

Kankhajura which seemingly means bat, follows Ashu (Roshan Mathew), a man returning to his estranged brother Max (Mohit Raina) after fourteen years in prison. Max has created a good life for himself, but the return of Ashu brings dormant tensions to the fore. The themes of manipulation, guilt and redemption are intertwined so well and the serene beauty of Goa is utilized so deceptively well.

🎭 Cast & Performances

Roshan Mathew as Ashu: Gives a layered performance, a young man who roes from being vulnerable to being clever.

· Mohit Raina as Max: Plays a conflicted man revisiting his past choices, providing a good contrast to Ashu.

· Sarah Jane Dias as Nisha: Brings great emotions to the story with her donor in family factor.

·   Heeba Shah as DSP Leena Naik: Adds weight in her performance that forced the series towards sympathy & tension.

Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, Ninad Kamat, Mahesh Shetty and Usha Nadkarni provide able support to the narrative. Bollywood Work-Life Balance -Pankaj Tripathi on 18-Hour Shoots and Why Actors Need to Say No 

🎬 Direction & Cinematography

Slickly told and skillfully paced, Kankhajura is directed by Chandan Arora. The cinematography of Rajeev Ravi and Vinod Illampally visualised Goa and its contrasting elements showcasing the beauty about the state and what is underneath the surface in the narrative.

📊 Reception & Ratings

The show has received critical acclaim for the performances of the cast and the quality of the writing. Rating it 3.5/5, The Times of India praised for its character-driven drama. Reception Hindustan Times gave 4/5 and praised Roshan Mathew’s performance as best.

🔍 Final Verdict

Kankhajura is a sign of the changing times of Indian web series. A psychological thriller in its purest form Having great character portrayals with good acting and a strong plot along with having succeed in making 50’s/60’s film quality! If you’re also a fan of long-nature vs. nurture stories with powerful character studies, this show is for you.