Kankhajura (2025) SonyLIV web series review: A dark and suspenseful Hindi-language crime thriller starring Roshan Mathew and Mohit Raina. Is it worth binge-watching? Read our full spoiler-free review now.
🎥
Introduction
SonyLIV has been making waves in the OTT space with bold, genre-defying content. With Kankhajura (2025), the platform dives deep into the underbelly of crime and corruption with a gritty, unsettling, and intelligent crime thriller. Directed by Chandan Arora and featuring a stellar cast including Roshan Mathew, Mohit Raina, Sarah Jane Dias, and Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, this 8-episode series is a slow-burn crime drama that leaves a lasting sting — just like its title insect, the kankhajura (centipede).
Releasing on May 30, 2025, the series promises to be one of the year’s most talked-about Indian thrillers.
📖
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Set in a decaying industrial town in North India, Kankhajura unravels a multi-layered narrative revolving around a gruesome murder, a corrupted political nexus, and a long-buried secret from the past that refuses to stay buried.
At the center of the plot is Inspector Gaurav Singh (Mohit Raina), a conflicted cop torn between his moral compass and the pressures of the system. When the body of a missing woman is found under mysterious circumstances, it sets off a domino effect. The investigation brings him face-to-face with journalist-turned-activist Arjun (Roshan Mathew), whose past is tied closely to the case.
Sarah Jane Dias plays a shrewd corporate executive with her own skeletons, while Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju delivers a breakout performance as a whistleblower with access to classified information that can shatter powerful empires.
The show weaves together personal trauma, social injustice, and political deceit in a layered, noir-style narrative that builds steadily toward a powerful climax.
🌟
Performances
- Mohit Raina is intense and deeply believable as a morally conflicted officer. His internal battle adds emotional depth to the series.
- Roshan Mathew is exceptional. Calm, cerebral, and quietly furious, his performance as a man seeking truth in a broken system is among the best of his career.
- Sarah Jane Dias plays her enigmatic character with finesse. She balances charm with danger effortlessly.
- Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju steals the show. Her portrayal of a trans woman fighting against systemic injustice is both poignant and powerful. A true revelation.
🎬
Direction & Writing
Director Chandan Arora, along with co-writer Upendra Sidhaye, crafts a slow-burning thriller that trusts the audience to stay with it. Unlike shows that rely on constant action, Kankhajura thrives on atmosphere, dialogue, and character-driven tension.
The pacing is deliberate. Some may find it too slow, but for fans of methodical crime dramas like Paatal Lok or Delhi Crime, this show will be a rewarding watch.
The writing dives deep into socio-political commentary, addressing themes such as institutional decay, gender identity, industrial exploitation, and class inequality, without being preachy.
🎥
Cinematography & Editing
Cinematographers Rajeev Ravi and Vinod Illampally deserve special praise. Their visual storytelling captures the grimy texture of the setting — foggy alleyways, flickering tube lights, rusted factories, and hauntingly empty fields. Every frame enhances the sense of unease.
Editor Vaishak Ravi keeps the narrative tight, especially during the more complex timelines. Despite the slow tempo, the editing ensures the story remains coherent and impactful.
🎵
Music & Sound Design
The background score is minimal but eerie, relying on ambient sounds and distorted audio cues to create a sense of paranoia. There are no traditional songs, which helps keep the tone grim and focused. The use of silence in several key scenes is masterful — allowing tension to build without overdramatization.
🧠
Themes & Symbolism
Kankhajura is not just a crime thriller — it’s a social autopsy. The series explores how power corrupts, how institutions rot from within, and how trauma becomes political currency. The centipede metaphor works on multiple levels — as a symbol of something that lurks in the shadows, hard to kill, and poisonous when ignored.
✅
What Works
- Stellar performances, especially Roshan Mathew & Trinetra 👏
- Powerful, nuanced storytelling with social depth ✍️
- Atmospheric visuals & realistic world-building 🎥
- Bold representation of gender identity & class struggle 🏳️🌈
- Strong payoff in the final two episodes 🧩
❌
What Doesn’t
- Slow pacing may not appeal to everyone 🐢
- Requires close attention due to non-linear structure ⏳
- Lacks mainstream appeal (intentionally so) 🎯
🎯
Final Verdict
Kankhajura (2025) is a rare gem in Indian OTT — uncompromising, thought-provoking, and richly atmospheric. It doesn’t spoon-feed its audience, instead trusting them to connect the dots. With top-notch performances, layered writing, and stunning visuals, this series is a must-watch for fans of serious crime dramas.
If you enjoy shows that challenge conventional storytelling and reward patient viewers, Kankhajura will definitely crawl under your skin — and stay there.
⭐
BMR (Best Movie Review) Rating: 8.4/10
“A chilling, cerebral crime thriller with a venomous bite. Kankhajura proves that the darkest corners of society aren’t always underground — sometimes, they’re inside us.” 🕷️🩸