Akka Web Series Review | Suchin Mehrotra | THR India

Suchin Mehrotra reviews Akka, the Netflix gangster drama written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty, starring Keerthy Suresh, Radhika Apte and Tanvi Azmi. Set in the 1980s in the fictional matriarchal province of Pernuru, the series follows Bhavani, a newly anointed ruler whose authority is challenged by the vengeful outsider Rudra. Suchin finds an exciting premise undermined by exposition-heavy worldbuilding that explains its customs and history without making its world feel distinctive or lived in.

Suchin examines the striking parallels with Black Panther, the simplistic caste commentary and the emotional distance that drains the power struggles, betrayals and central love story of their impact. Keerthy is the standout, balancing Bhavani’s private pain with the demands of ruthless leadership, but the supporting ensemble is underused and Radhika’s performance feels misjudged. Despite appreciating the show’s patience and refusal to reach for easy melodrama, Suchin finds that its muted visuals and underdeveloped characters leave even the promise of an entertaining female gangster saga unfulfilled.

The THR Bottomline: A tremendously missed opportunity. This could have been so much more.