Director: Vahid Amirkhani
Cast: Mahnaz Afshar, Hadi Hejazifar, Majid Salehi
Shaah Kosh (Kingslayer) is a 2017 Iranian crime thriller film directed by Vahid Amirkhani, starring Mahnaz Afshar, Hadi Hejazifar, and Majid Salehi. A taut, suspense-driven story set against the backdrop of power, betrayal, and deadly ambition in contemporary Iran.
What is Shaah Kosh about?
When a high-stakes murder investigation pulls together an unlikely group of characters, old loyalties are tested and dangerous secrets begin to surface. At the center stands a web of ambition and rivalry — those who seek power and those who will do anything to hold onto it. As investigators close in and alliances shift, no one can be fully trusted. Each new revelation raises the tension higher, forcing characters to confront uncomfortable truths about the circles they move in and the choices they have already made.
Cast & crew
Director Vahid Amirkhani steers a compelling cast through this crime thriller. Mahnaz Afshar, one of Iranian cinema's most acclaimed leading actresses, anchors the film with a performance of quiet intensity. Hadi Hejazifar brings his trademark grounded presence, while comedic and dramatic veteran Majid Salehi delivers a nuanced turn that adds unexpected depth to the ensemble.
Context & significance
Iranian crime cinema has grown considerably in ambition over the past two decades, moving from straightforward police procedurals toward morally complex thrillers that explore corruption, class, and the hidden machinery of power. Shaah Kosh fits firmly within this tradition. For diaspora viewers who grew up watching Iranian television and cinema, seeing familiar faces like Afshar and Hejazifar in a high-tension genre piece carries an added layer of resonance — these are performers whose work has followed audiences from Tehran to Toronto, Los Angeles, and beyond. The film's genre energy makes it accessible even for viewers newer to Persian-language cinema.
Where & how to watch
Shaah Kosh is available to stream on K-Time with Persian audio. Watch on your TV, phone, or computer — no VPN required and no geo-blocking. Subtitles are available. Subscribe and cancel anytime.