Picture Credit: Netflix
Akka puts women at the center of a gangster story about power, belonging and a city’s uneasy order. Set in a fictional South Indian city during the 1980s, the Hindi series follows a matriarchal community whose rule faces a challenge from an outsider. Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte lead the five episode drama, which began streaming worldwide on Netflix on October 30, 2026.
Netflix announced the date with a teaser on October 17, Suresh’s birthday. The series was first revealed at the streamer’s Next on Netflix India event in 2025. It comes from YRF Entertainment, the digital content arm of Yash Raj Films, whose Netflix work since a 2021 agreement includes the series The Railway Men and Mandala Murders, the films Maharaj and Vijay 69, and the documentary series The Romantics.
A power struggle in Pernuru
Netflix’s premise centers on Pernuru, where a powerful sisterhood governs the city. When Rudra arrives and threatens the existing order, the conflict turns into a fight for control marked by violence and survival. “Akka” means “elder sister” in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu, a title that points to the bonds and authority at the story’s core.
Debut writer-director Dharmaraj Shetty says he was drawn to building “a world with its own rules” for the gangster genre, with relationships and characters rarely placed at the center of such stories. Aditya Chopra, Yogendra Mogre and Akshaye Widhani are executive producers.
Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte lead the cast
Suresh plays Bhavani, Pernuru’s leader. The role is her first web series, following her Hindi film debut in Baby John in 2024. She also stars in Dorothy, a Tamil film that debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Apte plays Rudra, the outsider whose arrival puts Bhavani’s authority under pressure. A familiar presence in Netflix India productions, Apte described Rudra as a woman with her own ambitions who refuses to be defined by her circumstances. She said the character is willing to challenge the established order.
The ensemble includes Tanvi Azmi (Tribhanga), Mahesh Manjrekar (The White Tiger), Anshumaan Pushkar (Jamtara), Monika Panwar (Choona), B. Jayashree, Nivedita Bhargava, Poornima Indrajith and Vishak Nair.
Reviews find strong performances, uneven writing
Early responses are mixed, with critics often singling out the leads while questioning the script’s originality and execution. The Tribune gave the series 2.5 stars, praising its production atmosphere while calling the writing familiar. Free Press Journal rated it 2 stars.
The Federal judged that the show falls short of its premise and reported that production had wrapped in 2024, followed by several reshoots. IWM Buzz offered a more favorable assessment, describing it as an engaging, beautifully shot crime drama.
Episodes and viewing details
All five episodes are available worldwide on Netflix. The season runs just over three hours, with episodes lasting between 30 and 46 minutes. The series is rated TV-MA in the United States for violence, nudity, language, gore and smoking.
- The Sisterhood (46 minutes) – After angering Pernuru’s matriarchs, Rudra reconnects with an old acquaintance and begins plotting to take over the clan.
- Wounds and Scars (32 minutes) – A devastating loss sends Bhavani toward revenge as Rudra rallies Pernuru’s outsiders.
- A Challenge Wrapped in Blood (30 minutes) – Rudra gains support among local villagers, stirring concern within Bhavani’s clan as they investigate her ties to the city.
- A Heart Turned (34 minutes) – Bhavani scores an early win, but Rudra’s strategy shifts the balance and brings betrayal and bloodshed.
- A Queen for All (39 minutes) – As Pernuru’s past comes back to the surface, Rudra allies with rebellious men in a bid to dismantle Bhavani’s power and legacy.
Viewers can choose the original Hindi audio or dubs in English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Spanish and Polish. Audio description is available in English, Hindi and Spanish. Subtitle options include English, Hindi, Arabic, French, Polish, Ukrainian, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. All episodes can be downloaded for offline viewing.
Netflix’s India release slate for 2026 and beyond includes further films and series to watch for.
