Netflix unveiled the trailer for the gangster drama Akka, starring Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte. Directed by Dharmaraj Shetty, the series premieres on October 30. Keerthy said, “Bhavani is a woman who knows what she stands for and will go to great lengths to protect her legacy.” It looks intense.
Netflix has unveiled the trailer of Akka, an upcoming gangster drama starring Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte in the lead roles. Written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty, the series is set in the fictional kingdom of Pernuru, where a power struggle between two women threatens to disrupt a long-standing legacy.
Produced by YRF Entertainment, Akka is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on October 30. The series also features Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar and Monica Panwar. The trailer introduces Bhavani, played by Keerthy, and Rudra, portrayed by Radhika, as two women with different ambitions and approaches to power. As Rudra challenges the established order in Pernuru, tensions rise, and long-standing loyalties are put to the test.
Keerthy Suresh on playing Bhavani
Keerthy described Bhavani as a character who is determined to protect her legacy while dealing with difficult choices. “Bhavani is a woman who knows what she stands for and will go to great lengths to protect her legacy. What makes her interesting is that beneath her strength and authority are choices that are never easy, especially when the stakes are so high,” Keerthy said.
The actress also spoke about working with Radhika Apte, saying the contrasting personalities of Bhavani and Rudra add to the tension in the story. “Working with Radhika was amazing because Bhavani and Rudra bring such different energies to the story, and their dynamic adds another layer of tension to the narrative,” she added.
Radhika Apte on Rudra and her rivalry with Bhavani
Radhika described Rudra as a woman who refuses to be defined by her circumstances and is willing to challenge the existing power structure. “Rudra is someone who refuses to be defined by the circumstances she finds herself in. She is fierce, has her own ambitions, and is willing to challenge the established order, which makes her a fascinating character to explore,” she said.
According to Radhika, the central conflict in Akka goes beyond a straightforward battle for power and is also shaped by the characters' personal beliefs and loyalties. “What I enjoyed about Akka is that the conflict isn't simply about who holds power; it's also about the different beliefs, loyalties, and personal stakes that drive each character,” she added.
Radhika also described sharing the screen with Keerthy as an enjoyable experience while bringing the rivalry between their characters to life.
Dharmaraj Shetty on creating the world of Akka
Writer-director Dharmaraj Shetty said the opportunity to approach the gangster genre through a different setting and set of characters was one of the reasons he was drawn to the project. “What drew me to Akka was the chance to give the gangster genre a world with its own rules, and to tell a large, entertaining saga through characters and relationships we don't often see at its centre,” Shetty said.
He added that Pernuru is shaped by generations of women, with power and rivalry forming the core of the story. “Pernuru is a world shaped by generations of women, where power, legacy, and rivalry play out in fresh and unexpected ways,” he added. Akka marks the latest collaboration between Netflix and YRF Entertainment. The two companies have previously worked together on projects including The Romantics, The Railway Men, Maharaj and Mandala Murders.
The series will premiere on Netflix on October 30.