Akka on Netflix: Two Brilliant Actresses, One Disappointing Script

Akka on Netflix: Two Brilliant Actresses, One Disappointing Script

Few streaming shows this year came with as much curiosity as Akka. It brings together Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte as rival gangsters, and it finally arrived after a long wait. Now that it's streaming, the verdict is in, and it's a mixed one.

What Akka Is About

Akka began streaming on Netflix on October 30, 2026. It is a five-episode crime thriller set in the 1980s, in a fictional town called Pernuru, where women have held power for generations.

Keerthy Suresh plays Bhavani, and Radhika Apte plays Rudra. Their clashing ambitions drive the story, and the rivalry between them is the heart of the show. The supporting cast includes Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar and Poornima Indrajith.

The series is written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty and produced by YRF Entertainment, the streaming arm of Yash Raj Films.

A Big Step for Keerthy Suresh

For Keerthy, the National Award winner for Mahanati, Akka marks her debut in a web series. She has spoken about being drawn to its world and wanting this to be her first Hindi project. She also gets to play a fierce, mass-style role, very different from the gentle characters many fans know her for.

What Works

Across reviews, one thing gets consistent praise: the two lead performances. Keerthy and Radhika bring contrasting energy to the screen, and their face-off is the main reason to watch. The period setting and the women-ruled world of Pernuru also give the show a distinct flavour.

Where It Falls Short

The problem is the writing. Several reviewers found the story predictable, and Great Andhra summed it up well: the women on screen are powerful, but the writing isn't. The setup promises a sharp, layered power struggle, but the twists often feel easy to see coming. For a show with this cast, many viewers expected much more.

Should You Watch It?

If you're a fan of Keerthy Suresh or Radhika Apte, Akka is worth a look just for their performances. It's also short, at only five episodes, so it won't take up your whole weekend.

But if you're hoping for a gripping, tightly written gangster drama, you may come away disappointed. Akka is a show that's carried by its actors rather than its script.

Sources: India TV · DT Next