Akka Review: Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte's Series Feels Like Just the Begin

What happens when a kingdom ruled by women becomes the setting for a story of power, revenge, loyalty, and secrets? That's the intriguing world Akka promises to take us into.

With Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte sharing the screen, this was certainly one of the series I was curious to watch. The idea of a fictional kingdom with its own traditions, territories, hierarchy, and rules immediately caught my attention. And then there's Pernuru itself, a world where relationships, power, and even the idea of marriage seem to work very differently from what we're used to.

After watching all five episodes, I can say there's plenty here to hold your attention. The characters are interesting, the setting has a distinct identity, and the story has several layers waiting to be explored. But here's the thing: just when you begin settling into this world, understanding its people and getting invested in the conflicts, the series comes to an end.

And honestly, I was left wanting more. Not because there's nothing to like about Akka, but because it feels as though we've only just begun discovering what Pernuru has to offer.

A World That Needed More Room to Breathe

One of the most interesting aspects of Akka is Pernuru itself. It isn't just another fictional setting. It has its own history, customs, different clans, and a way of life that makes it stand apart.

However, I wish the series had spent more time exploring Pernuru instead of concentrating so heavily on introducing its characters and their connections. There are quite a few names, relationships and backstories to keep track of. At times, I found myself trying to figure out who was connected to whom rather than getting completely immersed in the story.

The first few episodes, in particular, feel heavy with introductions and exposition. While some of this is necessary to understand the conflict, there are portions that could have been tighter. Strangely, the series manages to feel stretched in certain places and rushed in others.

And that brings me to my biggest concern: five episodes simply don't feel enough.

By the time we begin understanding the characters, their motivations, and the larger conflict, the season is already over. I wanted more time with these characters, more insight into their relationships and, most importantly, a deeper exploration of Pernuru. There's clearly a much bigger story waiting to unfold.

The Characters and Their Performances

Keerthy Suresh as Bhavani and Radhika Apte as Rudra are undoubtedly at the centre of the series, and both bring something interesting to the story.

Keerthy's Bhavani is a character I wanted to understand more. She isn't initially an Akka, but as the story progresses, she becomes increasingly central to everything unfolding in Pernuru. With so much turmoil and chaos surrounding her, I couldn't help feeling that her real journey was only beginning. I would have loved to see more of her journey.

Radhika Apte, meanwhile, makes Rudra an intriguing presence. She's manipulative when she needs to be and intimidating at times. Her actions make sense when you understand that she's there seeking revenge. However, I did find her styling throughout the series a little over the top. The satin, sequins, and elaborate outfits sometimes felt excessive.

Poornima Indrajith as Devaki deserves special mention. Her grief over losing her daughter, Kaveri, brings some of the series' most heartbreaking moments, especially because her daughter clearly means the world to her. Poornima does justice to the role, and it was lovely to see her in a part that leaves such an impression.

Pooja Mohanraj as Deju is another performer I wouldn't want to overlook. She's much more than just an aide to Bhavani. Deju is loyal, courageous, and a fighter who stands alongside the Akkas and takes on battles herself. Her personality, screen presence, and action sequences make her a character I thoroughly enjoyed watching.

Tanvi Azmi brings authority to Muthakka, while the portions exploring her past add another layer to the history of Pernuru.

The male characters also have an important part to play. Amar, Nanda and Shankar Anna aren't simply there to fill the supporting cast. Even though women hold positions of authority in Pernuru, the men still influence the events unfolding within the community.

One relationship I particularly wanted more of was Bhavani and Nanda's. What makes it interesting is the difference in how they view relationships. In Pernuru, marriage doesn't hold much value, but having a child does. Nanda, on the other hand, believes in marriage as an institution and wants that commitment. It's an interesting contrast, and I wish the series had given their relationship a few more scenes to develop.

I also wish the series had explored Nanda's character further, as there's more potential there.

The Violence: Was All of It Necessary?

I understand that Akka is a crime drama, and violence is naturally part of the world it portrays. But I wasn't entirely comfortable with the way some of it was depicted.

At times, the graphic presentation feels excessive. I don't think every violent incident needs to be shown in such explicit detail to communicate its impact. In some places, a little restraint could have made those scenes just as effective, if not more.

To be clear, the violence itself wasn't necessarily my issue. It was the way certain moments were presented. This was one aspect of the series that didn't quite work for me.

So, Is Akka Worth Watching?

Despite its shortcomings, I wouldn't dismiss Akka. It has an interesting premise, a distinctive setting, and a cast that brings considerable talent to the screen. Some characters and relationships genuinely make you want to know more.

But I also feel the series hasn't fully explored what it has introduced. Pernuru deserves more attention, some of the supporting characters need more room to develop, and the larger conflict could have been much more satisfying with a little more depth.

And then comes the Mahesh Manjrekar reveal! It gives us a glimpse of how much bigger this story could be and leaves us wondering what else is waiting to unfold. The ending almost feels like a setup for another season. While there's no confirmation of a Season 2, I certainly hope we get one. There's still so much left to explore in Pernuru.

After all, it feels like we've only just arrived in Pernuru and begun understanding its world. Just when the story starts opening up into something bigger, the five episodes come to an end.

For now, Akka is an intriguing watch with plenty of potential, but it also leaves me wanting much more. Five episodes were simply not enough.

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