Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte lead the gang wars in Akka

Three regions, three rulers, all women. In lieu of accession, we are made to believe that the three rulers were allowed to run their business, essentially of arrack, until the Mumbai mafia decides to get a slice of the action in 1983. The period setting of Akka gives Radhika Apte every reason to dress in Zeenat Aman-style but with tacky undergarments. And the fictional locale allows Keerthy Suresh to wear back-baring blouses, a stern expression and enough jewellery for a Diwali ad.

It is a pity one has to focus on the superficial in what is a laughable attempt to recreate gang wars between two powerful women, who behave much like men when handed authority. That is to say there is a lot of blood, many savage killings, and lots of begging for mercy by countless men.

Netflix has obviously run its course with violence by men, so now, after the relatively tame Dabba Cartel in 2025, we have to watch this atrocity in the name of women empowerment. After the debacle of Alpha, the female espionage movie, perhaps producer YRF should try a refresher course in what women actually want.