Kan Khajura

So, I accidentally stumbled upon *Kankhajura* while looking for another show (*Ayyana Mane*, which everyone was buzzing about on Instagram), and let me just say-this wasn't a detour, it was a freaking descent. Into the mind. Into trauma. Into moral chaos. And honestly? I kinda loved it.

Based loosely on the Israeli series *Magpie (2019)*, *Kankhajura* tells the story of Ashu, played by Roshan Mathew, who has just gotten out of jail after serving 14 years for a childhood crime. He shows up in his younger brother Max's life with a suitcase full of apologies and a whole lot of psychological baggage. But here's the twist: Ashu is not here for a basic redemption arc. He's manipulative, vulnerable, brilliant, and dangerous-all at once. And it's terrifyingly beautiful.

Roshan Mathew's performance is honestly one of the most spellbinding I've seen in a long time. Like, you cannot look away. He plays Ashu as someone constantly walking the line between tragic and terrifying. There's a quiet fragility to him that masks this insidious ability to control people, and just when you feel bad for him, he'll do something so psychotic you literally whisper "No..." to your screen. It's that kind of show.

What made this even more layered was the presence of Trinetra's character-a trans woman portrayed with nuance, grace, and without falling into the usual stereotypes. Her scenes weren't just fillers; they added emotional gravity and perspective. And Sarah Jane Dias? Stunning. Real. Every frame she was in felt textured and grounded.

Let's talk direction and aesthetics. First of all-thank you, creators, for showing Goa like an actual place where people live and hustle, not just a postcard of beaches and beer. The show dives into the working-class life, the crime, the domesticity, and the real social fabric of the city. No party shots. No slow-mo sunset clichés. Just grit, steel, and dust-and it works.

The plot takes a little time to build, but once it hits episode three, you are not moving. It's not about traditional twists or jump scares. It's about slow, creeping unease. The kind where someone says something too calmly and your brain screams. And it just gets more twisted the deeper you go. Everything revolves around Ashu-almost too much. Other characters do feel like they orbit his darkness without much independent gravity, but you don't really mind because his presence is that magnetic.

There's very little romance in the conventional sense, but the emotional intimacy between Max and Ashu is so intense it feels borderline romantic at times-which is not creepy, just an indication of how psychologically tangled their relationship is. Max is torn between guilt, obligation, and growing fear. Watching that unravel is half the show's power.

Also, can we give a round of applause for the writing? It's subtle. Thoughtful. Haunting. The show doesn't yell its themes at you-it whispers them. About bullying. About disability. About the long shadows of childhood trauma. About what happens when the person you love is the one slowly ruining your life.

Of course, it's not perfect. Some pacing issues in the first episode. Some characters could've been fleshed out more. And the metaphor of the "kankhajura" is hammered a bit hard in the dialogue at times. But honestly, who cares? When the rest is this good, a few bumps feel like texture.

Final thoughts: *Kankhajura* is not just a show-it's a psychological earworm. It burrows in, feeds off your discomfort, and leaves you questioning the way you see mental illness, redemption, and familial bonds. It doesn't want you to relax. It wants you to *feel*. If you're looking for comfort TV-run. But if you want a slow-burning, character-driven, emotionally disturbing masterclass in acting and atmosphere, then pull up a chair and let Ashu crawl right in.

7/10. But honestly? Ashu alone is a 10.

Rarely does a series come along that not only entertains but leaves you with lingering thoughts and emotional turbulence long after the final episode has ended. This particular psycho-thriller from Bollywood doesn't just tick the boxes for storytelling and suspense-it masterfully explores the labyrinth of human emotions, psychological manipulation, and societal vulnerabilities. It is a standout in recent Indian web content, merging sensitive emotional themes with a gripping psychological narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

At its core, the emotional quotient (EQ) of the series is remarkably high. This is not just a thriller-it's a psychological deep-dive into the inner workings of the human mind under distress, betrayal, and confusion. The way the storyline unfolds, layer by layer, drawing viewers deeper into the psyche of its characters, is a testimony to excellent writing and nuanced direction. You feel the characters' pain, their conflicts, their confusion-and sometimes even their madness.

One of the most powerful themes this series tackles is emotional dependence. Through its characters, the show beautifully illustrates how dependency in relationships-be it romantic, familial, or platonic-can spiral into vulnerability. It reflects how people often lose their sense of self in the pursuit of validation and love. This theme isn't just brushed upon; it's dissected and presented through various characters, making you question your own emotional boundaries and the relationships in your life.

The psychological toll of bullying is another focal point that the show handles with rare sensitivity. Whether it's bullying in the schoolyard or its subtler adult version in the workplace or at home, the scars it leaves behind are deep. The series doesn't glamorize bullying for dramatic flair-it shows the lasting trauma, the feelings of worthlessness, and the anxiety that come with it. It subtly implies that many of the psychological disorders we see in adults are often rooted in untreated emotional wounds from earlier life experiences.

Perhaps one of the most important messages of the series is that truth is often layered and multifaceted. What we hear is not always the truth, and what we see is often colored by our biases. The show consistently nudges its audience to look beyond the obvious. Every episode challenges assumptions and urges viewers to be critical thinkers. In an era of fake news and manipulated narratives, this message couldn't be more relevant.

A particularly chilling and realistic portrayal in the series is that of gaslighting-a psychological manipulation tactic that causes a person to question their reality, memory, or perception. The series brings this form of emotional abuse into the spotlight, showing how subtle it can be and how deeply damaging. The character subjected to gaslighting becomes a mirror for many real-life survivors, making it one of the most haunting and eye-opening elements of the story. It's a much-needed conversation starter in Indian society where mental health and emotional abuse are still often misunderstood or stigmatized.

When it comes to acting, the entire cast delivers A+ performances. Each actor brings a level of authenticity and rawness that feels almost voyeuristic-like we are intruding into their most private moments. But the standout performance comes from the actor playing ASHU. This character is written with a complex emotional arc, and the actor breathes such life into him that you forget he's acting. Ashu's journey-from vulnerability to breakdown, from suspicion to revelation-is portrayed with such finesse that you feel every beat of his pain and confusion.

The cinematography and background score are also worth mentioning. The visual tone-dark, moody, and claustrophobic-perfectly mirrors the psychological intensity of the narrative. The background score doesn't overpower but rather enhances the storytelling, often foreshadowing emotional or suspenseful moments subtly.

Another aspect where the series excels is its representation of therapy and mental health support. While still rare in Bollywood narratives, this show makes an effort to depict therapy as a necessary and constructive tool rather than a taboo or joke. This is a commendable step forward in normalizing mental health discussions in mainstream Indian media.

In conclusion, this series is more than just a psycho-thriller-it's a mirror held up to our society, urging us to pay attention to the invisible struggles people face every day. It tells you that emotional trauma is not always loud; sometimes, it's quiet, persistent, and hidden behind a smile. It compels viewers to be more empathetic, more curious, and less judgmental.

If you're looking for a show that keeps you hooked while also giving you something to think about, this is it. Not just for its plot twists and suspense, but for its brave take on emotional reality, mental health, and psychological manipulation, this series deserves a top spot in the best of recent Indian thrillers.

The storyline is definitely unique n different. Plot revolves around 2 brothers where the younger is excessively obsessed for getting his brother's love n attention n gets ready to do anything n everything for him while the elder literally hates his own brother n treats him like a joker taking undue advantage of him. Story follows post younger returns from jail for his brother post 14 years. Thrill element in the series is very good but intensity of the plot could have been even better n emotional tension could have been more robust. Roshan Mathew as younger one is mind blowing, his acting overshadows everyone else. A web series of 8 episodes with each of 30 mins average time. Originally a Hindi series dubbed in most of the South Indian languages. Available in Netflix, my ratings 7.5/10!

This series is a masterclass in depicting the power of non-violence. Through its quiet intensity, it portrays how true strength lies not in brute force, but in unwavering conviction. The innocence of the protagonist will leave the viewer in disbelief that he is capable of doing such a massive devastation to the expectations of many. He wages the war, but on minds, unsettling the very fabric of belief systems. Not much drama, no extreme scenes too, balanced violence and adult scenes. Pure content, packed with suspense and thrill. Okay to watch with family around 13+. Roshan Mathew's acting is a perfect escape from boredom.

'Kankhajura' as the name suggests the series gets all the way up to your brain makes you think about it in various aspects of life around you. A unique storyline is intersting to follow though not orignal, but I have to admit I haven't watched a better series in this genre for a long time, the story is captivating, binge watched the whole series. The casting is done awesomely well. Be it Mohit Raina, His partner Sarah Jane and all others have done a good justice to their character. But notable performance that stands out is indeed of the main protagonist Roshan Mathew, he has done a great job and is exceptional with his acting loved it completely. A must watch if you like Drama and thriller

Acting 9.5/10 Story 8/10 (Not original so 2 marks for that) + Has a retention power to it.

Everything is upto the mark and to my expectation after watching the trailer and promotion. I just found one thing odd with Sony Liv, I had access to the whole series a day before, I condemn them for that, not encouraging for the markers at all.

Though not a original story but adaptation has been done brilliantly. I would encourage people who follow this genre must give it a go, you won't regret.