Kankhajura
could
have
been
so
much
better
given
its
initial
promise,
observes
Mayur
Sanap.
At
their
least,
psychological
thrillers
have
a
tendency
to
hold
our
attention
with
a
sense
of
eeriness
and
suspense.
Such
is
the
case
with
Kankhajura,
a
remake
of
the
acclaimed
Israeli
show
Magpie,
which
serves
up
a
twisted
tale
of
revenge
and
morality
that’s
interesting
in
parts.
But
ultimately,
it
leaves
a
scant
impression
because
of
a
predictable
and
tepid
plot
progression.
Set
in
Goa,
the
story
revolves
around
Ashu
(Roshan
Mathew)
and
his
brother
Max
(Mohit
Raina).
This
relationship
between
Ashu
and
Max
is
a
key
element
of
the
story,
with
Ashu
showing
a
strong
love
and
respect
for
his
older
brother.
Ashu
is
released
from
prison
after
serving
a
14-year
murder
sentence.
He
tries
to
reconnect
with
Max,
who
is
now
a
wealthy
real
estate
tycoon
and
married
to
Nisha
(Sara
Jane-Dias).
They
help
a
seemingly
socially-awkward
Ashu
to
start
a
new
life.
The
first
two
episodes
establish
an
eerie
feeling
of
the
story
quite
well,
as
the
suspense
and
tension
build
gradually,
leaving
you
guessing
and
second-guessing
the
characters’
motives.
But
when
the
show
unravels
its
mystery,
which
happens
quite
early
on,
there
is
barely
any
impact
or
surprise
as
the
following
scenes
only
confirm
our
assumptions
about
what
we
earlier
saw.
Roshan
Mathew,
with
his
creepy
demeanour
and
an
obvious
grudge,
tries
hard
to
make
the
character
appear
mysterious
and
disturbing
but
the
tension
never
builds
because
of
the
constant
predictable
beats
planted
by
Director
Chandan
Arora
and
his
writing
partner
Sandeep
Jain.
For
the
narrative
that
delves
into
themes
of
manipulation
and
deceit,
the
show
lacks
the
taut
writing
and
clever
deceptions
as
it
meanders
through
twists
and
turns
that
can
be
seen
miles
away.
The
unnecessary
sub-plots
don’t
add
much
to
the
central
story
either.
Trinetra
Haldar’s
trans
character
Amy
just
feels
like
a
bait
for
inclusive
casting
rather
than
an
organic
need
for
the
story.
The
same
goes
for
Usha
Nadkarni’s
scheming
slumlord
Deshmukh
Bai,
who
opposes
Max’s
housing
project
only
for
this
entire
track
to
get
cast
aside
abruptly.
What
holds
our
attention
is
Rohan
Mathew’s
central
performance
in
an
author-backed
role,
as
he
subverts
the
likability
of
Ashu
when
he
transforms
from
a
nice
guy
to
something
ominous,
much
like
what
we
saw
in
his
Malayalam
film
Kappela.
There’s
a
heavy
dramatic
showiness
to
his
performance
during
the
emotional
outburst
scenes
but
it’s
really
his
quieter
moments
that
stick
with
you.
Mohit
Raina
gives
enough
heft
and
personality
to
an
emotionally
stern
Max
but
this
feels
just
an
iteration
of
what
he
did
in
Mumbai
Diaries.
The
most
watchable
character
is
the
one
played
by
Sarah-Jane
Dias
whose
Nisha
is
mostly
relegated
to
a
kind
and
vulnerable
wife
in
the
first
three
episodes.
But
the
show
manages
to
give
her
a
satisfying
arc.
Kankhajura
could
have
been
so
much
better
given
its
initial
promise.
Kankhajura
streams
on
SonyLIV.
Kankhajura
Review
Rediff
Rating:
