Akka on Netflix: Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte Play Rival Gangster Queens in YRF’s 1980s Crime Saga Set in a City Ruled by Women; What to Know Before You Watch
Akka, YRF Entertainment’s crime series with Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte, is now on Netflix. The story, cast, setting and what makes it different, without spoilers.
Photo: Flickr user mckaysavage / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 2nd November 2026: One of Netflix India’s most anticipated series of the year is finally out. Akka, a crime drama from YRF Entertainment, the streaming arm of Yash Raj Films, premiered on Netflix on Friday, 30 October. Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte lead the cast as two powerful women in a city’s underworld, and the show was among the top entertainment searches in Maharashtra this weekend.
The series was first teased in February 2025, as part of Netflix’s “Next on Netflix” India line-up, and then went quiet for months, which only added to the curiosity.
The story
Akka is set in the 1980s in Pernuru, a fictional South Indian city that has been “built, ruled and protected” by generations of women. Keerthy Suresh plays Bhavani and Radhika Apte plays Rudra, two gangster queens at the head of a sisterhood that controls the city’s crime. Their hold on Pernuru is threatened when a mysterious outsider arrives, and what follows is a fight for survival, full of violence, revenge and shifting loyalties.
The idea of a matriarchal underworld is what sets Akka apart from the many male-led gangster sagas Indian streaming has produced. The title itself, which means elder sister in several Indian languages, hints at the bonds and rivalries at its centre.
Cast and crew
- Created, written and directed by: Dharmaraj Shetty, making his debut
- Executive producers: Aditya Chopra, Yogendra Mogre and Akshaye Widhani
- Lead cast: Keerthy Suresh (Bhavani), Radhika Apte (Rudra)
- Also starring: Tanvi Azmi, Poornima Indrajith, Vishak Nair, Dinesh Prabhakar, Karthika Muraleedharan, Pooja Mohanraj and Urmila Krishnan
It is being described as YRF Entertainment’s biggest streaming project yet. For Keerthy Suresh, a National Award winner best known for Tamil and Telugu films, it is a major Hindi streaming lead. Radhika Apte, who rose to streaming fame with Sacred Games, is from Pune and studied here, which gives local viewers an extra reason to watch.
Should you watch it?
If you enjoy period crime dramas with strong female leads and a slow-burn build-up, Akka is worth a try. As with most gangster series, expect violence and mature themes, so check the age rating before watching with family. Netflix lets you switch audio and subtitles, so look at the language options on the title page.
Also streaming this weekend: Obsession, uncut on JioHotstar. For something on the big screen, read about Shah Rukh Khan’s King, due in December.
Frequently asked questions
When did Akka release on Netflix?
Akka premiered on Netflix on 30 October 2026.
Who are the lead actors in Akka?
Keerthy Suresh plays Bhavani and Radhika Apte plays Rudra, two gangster queens in the fictional city of Pernuru.
Who directed Akka?
Akka is created, written and directed by debutant Dharmaraj Shetty, for YRF Entertainment.
What is Akka about?
It is a 1980s crime drama about a sisterhood of women who rule the underworld of a fictional South Indian city, until an outsider threatens their power.
