Akka is the title given to the sacred guardian of Pernuru, a fictional town in South India. It is a world ruled by women, with each tribe led by a matriarch and men relegated to the sidelines, much like in the series. Radhika Apte plays Rudra, a member of Shankar Bhai’s Bombay gang, whose sole mission is to end the rule of the ‘Akka’ Keerthy Suresh and seek revenge against the Malemaar sect. But what fuels her hatred for them and what does she stand to gain by bringing an end to her reign? The answers unfold across the five gripping episodes of Dharmaraj Shetty’s directorial.
Akka Web Series: How Many Episodes Are There and What Is the Story?
The five-episode series is set in the 1980s in Pernuru, a fictional town in South India. Following India’s Independence, as the government attempts to take over kingdoms and end their rule, this one stands apart. Here, women are the leaders. Nearly nine out of 10 citizens are educated, marriage is uncommon and men are essentially used only for reproduction. The birth of a girl is celebrated while the men of the family have little to no power. For 800 years, the Akkas of Pernuru and their powerful sisterhood have ruled, built and protected their world. But one outsider has a problem with their behenchaara.
Rudra, a rebel from Bombay, turns their world upside down with a series of crimes that send shivers down the spines of these formidable women. Unwilling to spare even children and women from the war, she targets the very people who form the strongest pillar of their society. What follows is a violent battle for power between Bhavani (Keerthy Suresh) and Rudra, filled with action, bloodshed, twisted politics and a fight that threatens to dismantle centuries of sisterhood.
Akka Web Series: Performances
is terrific as Bhavani aka Akka. She commands the screen with an aura of authority and power, making her presence felt even when she says little. Her expressive eyes do much of the talking. While Bhavani maintains a tough exterior, there is a softer side to her that emerges in her scenes with Nanda. They offer a glimpse of the simple woman beneath the powerful leader. Keerthy also holds her own in every scene opposite Radhika Apte and delivers a performance that feels refreshingly different from her usual commercial roles.
Radhika Apte is equally impressive as Rudra. Netflix’s favourite star returns in a never-seen-before avatar and setting. And once again, she does what she does best: commands attention with her acting prowess, delivers impactful dialogues and leaves a lasting impression. Despite Rudra’s ruthless ways, Apte makes you curious about the woman beneath the menace, drawing you into her story. Watching her stand tall in a world where men hold the power makes it difficult not to root for her. Some of her scenes are as bold as they come and she never slips out of character for a moment.
The on-screen clash between Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte is undoubtedly one of the series’ biggest strengths, with both performers bringing intensity and conviction to their face-offs.
Meanwhile, Tanvi Azmi, Kiran Karmarkar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar, Poornima Indrajith, Vishak Nair and others are also brilliant in their respective roles. They provide strong support to the lead actors by adding depth to the story and giving the central performances room to shine.
Akka Web Series: Writing And Direction
At heart, Keerthy’s Bhavani wants little more than to marry the man she loves and have his children. Unfortunately, Pernuru seems to embrace feminism only when it comes to power and control. Women here may rule the world, but they are hardly free to make their own choices, which is rather ironic.
Even though Akka is set in a world dominated by women, the overall story and its impact sometimes feel tailored to the male gaze. At a time when Bollywood’s obsession with alpha males is evident in almost every action film, this series offers a refreshing change. However, certain aspects feel off. The unnecessary gaalis, excessive bloodshed and gory action sequences can be difficult to sit through.
The direction is strong, as a period drama rooted in a distinct cultural setting demands. The retro vibe, Pernuru’s lush greenery, the striking women and the dark underworld are captured beautifully. The visual treatment adds to the series’ appeal, creating a world that feels both vibrant and dangerous. The episodes are also crisply edited, making the five-part series an engaging watch.
Akka Web Series: Verdict
Despite being a women-centric story, Akka often feels caught in a complicated portrayal of the male gaze, leaving you questioning the director’s idea of feminism. Packed with bloodshed, gore and brutal action, the series may appeal more to fans of gritty action dramas than those looking for a story of female power and sisterhood.