Kankhajura
Hindi - Drama8 episodes ~35 minsSonyLiv
Based on the Israeli TV series Magpie, Kankhajura is a story set in Goa, where Ashu Gaonkar (Roshan Mathew) returns after serving a prison sentence for a murder charge. Ashu seems to have had a traumatic time in jail and appears to carry mental scars from his childhood as well.
He comes back to live with his brother Max (Mohit Raina), a realtor who is on the cusp of launching a villa project in Shastri Nagar—something he believes will change his life. Max is willing to go to any lengths to get the project approved. His maternal uncle is a minister, and his friends/partners are the rotund and slimy lawyer Pedro (Ninad Kamat) and an enforcer, Shardul (Mahesh Shetty). Max uses their combined might to nurture his dream.
Ashu sees Max as a hero and wants to help him achieve his dreams, but Max wants Ashu to stay far away from his business, his wife Nisha (Sarah Jane Dias), and their daughter. Ashu also has a special talent, which he puts to use for DSP Leena Naik (Heeba Shah).
Without giving away too much, Kankhajura is essentially about how Ashu skillfully navigates the circumstances around him to create situations that work in his favor. The title eventually makes sense within the show’s thematic structure.
Among the subplots, Ashu meets a childhood friend, Amay—now Amy (played by Trinetra Haldar, post-transition). This section brings some tenderness (albeit a shallow one) to the story. In the end, it feels like the kind of tokenism Netflix often indulges in when it comes to gender or sexuality representation.
Mohit Raina is solid and steady, though his accent is a bit inconsistent. Ninad Kamat is reliably good, and Mahesh Shetty is also ok. Veteran Marathi actor Usha Nadkarni plays Mrs. Deshmukh, the “Gangubai” of Shastri Nagar, and she’s absolutely rasping in her portrayal—sharp, fiery, and full of attitude.
Roshan Mathew, delivers what might be the performance of his career as the disturbed Ashu. It’s difficult to describe his brilliance without spoiling key plot points, but let’s just say Edward Norton would be proud. 😊
The show is beautifully shot, capturing the scenic charm of Goa. The production design is impressive too. I have not seen the original Israeli series, but this adaptation feels well-tuned to Indian sensibilities—and setting it in Goa is a smart choice. The use of Konkani and the distinct Goan-English lingo gives the show an authentic flavor that enhances the experience.
The pacing is fairly good, with no major subplots apart from Ashu’s. One can overlook the somewhat convenient climax because the strong plot, Roshan Mathew's tour de force and a well-cast supporting ensemble make Kankhajura well worth your time.
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