Whenever the 1980s show up on screen, it is usually through angry young men chasing revenge. Women often get stuck playing the helpless side characters. Netflix’s new series Akka wants to flip that picture, and the trailer, which just dropped, makes a strong case.
A world where women make the rules
The story takes place in Pernuru, a land set in 1985. Here, women hold the most powerful positions and decide how business and home life should run. Keerthy Suresh plays Bhavani, also called Akka, who leads a clan that holds women in very high regard.
The women around her follow the law of the land and are not afraid of bloodshed. Betrayal is not forgiven here, and the rules for those who cross them are strict. Even marriage is not a place for compromise in Pernuru, which tells you a lot about how this society thinks.
But Bhavani’s problems are not only inside her kingdom. The trailer shows threats from men in Bombay, who run business in a very different way. That gives the story a bigger canvas than just one local fight.
Enter Rudhra
Her biggest enemy is Rudhra, played by Radhika Apte. She is just as ambitious as Bhavani, and her goal is simple: bring down Bhavani and her empire. What makes her interesting is how she fights. The women of Pernuru depend on their strength, while Rudhra relies on her mind. That contrast could make their battle far more exciting than a straight shootout.
This is also the first time Keerthy and Radhika share the screen, which adds to the buzz. If you want an earlier look at the setup, our Akka teaser review covers the first glimpse of this clash.
Gold, sarees and guns
Visually, the trailer looks rich. The women wear traditional sarees and heavy gold jewellery, yet they still move quickly when a fight begins. That mix of royal style and rough action gives the show a look that feels fresh for Indian streaming.
The trailer ends with the two women standing face to face with guns drawn. It is a strong final shot, and it leaves you wanting to know who will win. The music is also different from the usual gangster sound and helps pull you into this imagined world.
The team behind it
Akka is a Netflix and YRF Entertainment project, which follows earlier titles like The Romantics, The Railway Men, Maharaj and Mandala Murders. Based on the teaser coverage, it is also directed and written by Dharmaraj Shetty, who is making his debut as a director.
More to watch this week
If your watchlist is already getting long, there is more coming up. Fans of big angry heroes might like our look at the Suryaa teaser, where Sunny Deol aims India’s medical system.
And if you are following big screen epics, our piece on the new Ramayana trailer looks at how the VFX complaints seem to be fading.
Should you wait for Akka?
Based on the trailer, yes. The setting is bold, the two leads look committed, and the idea of a crime saga run by women is not something we see often. It is not clear yet how deep the story goes, but the first look is promising.
Akka premieres on October 30, only on Netflix. Mark your calendar, because the throne is up for grabs.