Web Series Review: AKKA stands out for its novel concept, grand presentation and gripping action
Star Cast: Keerthy Suresh, Radhika Apte
Director: Dharmaaj Shetty
Synopsis:
AKKA is the story of power and revenge. The year is 1985. Pernuru, located in South India, follows a matriarchal system. The region is divided into three towns – Malemar (House of Fields), Herkada (House of Mountains) and Perplady (House of Seas). Mutthakka (Tanvi Azmi) is the head, or Akka, while Duggamma (B Jayashree) and Subbamma (Nivedita Bhargav) also hold senior positions. Bhavani (Keerthy Suresh) is not the Akka but efficiently handles the day-to-day affairs and can go to any lengths to achieve her goals. She's in love with Nanda (Vishak Nair), who wishes to marry her. However, as per the traditions of the clan, women are not allowed to marry. Life goes on smoothly until Rudra (Radhika Apte) is sent by Shankar (Mahesh Manjrekar) from Mumbai to Pernuru. Shankar was ousted from Pernuru but continues to maintain a connection with his hometown through his business association with Amar (Anshuman Pushkar). Amar runs an illegal smuggling operation through the seas and wants to thwart Akka's operations. However, his efforts prove futile. Rudra then assures him that she will help destroy Akka, her family and the matriarchal setup. She has personal reasons for doing so as well. What happens next forms the rest of the series.
Akka Story Review:
Dharmaaj Shetty's story is complex but has its share of riveting moments. Dharmaaj Shetty's screenplay is packed with confrontations, action and bloodshed. However, the narrative also moves too quickly at times. Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal's dialogues are sharp.
Dharmaaj Shetty's direction is decent. He has mounted the show on a grand scale and filmed it in lush, picturesque locales. He also keeps the narrative tight. The show has just five episodes, with a total runtime of around three hours. Hence, AKKA could easily have been a film. What immediately strikes viewers is the setting. Hardly any films or shows have depicted a matriarchal society where men are expected to toe the line, making the proceedings captivating. Moreover, the manner in which Rudra causes chaos and destruction in Pernuru keeps viewers hooked. There's also plenty of action, which gives the show a commercial feel.
On the flipside, there are too many characters and too many rules governing the world of Pernuru. To avoid confusion, it is advisable to watch the show with pen and paper in hand and note down not just the names of the characters but also who is related to whom. A few developments seem convenient, while a crucial sequence bears a striking resemblance to KANTARA. For instance, the leader of the Kathawa tribe agrees rather easily to help Bhavani, even though her people have been ostracized by her clan for decades. Moreover, almost all the male characters are portrayed as evil, which becomes excessive after a point. Another major problem is that the show expects viewers to root for Bhavani and Mutthakka. However, as the series progresses, we learn about their wrongdoings, making it difficult to see them as heroes. The final sequence on the beach is also unconvincing.
Akka Performances:
Keerthy Suresh has a riveting screen presence. In several scenes, her expressions alone do the talking. She plays a leader and does full justice to the part. Radhika Apte is presented in a stylish manner and looks very convincing. Performance-wise, she's excellent, as always. Monika Panwar (young Mutthakka) delivers an authentic performance and is memorable despite her cameo appearance. Vishak Nair leaves a mark. Karthika Muralidharan (Tara), Divya Sripada (Latha), Poornima Indrajith (Devaki) and Urmila Krishnan (Mallika) have limited scope. However, Pooja Mohanraj (Deju) has a crucial part and performs very well. The same applies to Anjali Patil (Chameri). Veteran actors Kiran Karmarkar (Tarnath) and Chhaya Kadam (Jaaku) are decent but are let down by the writing. Bharat Ganeshpure (Priest) is wasted. His character appears suddenly, and the makers should have explained his importance in society. Others who deliver fine performances include Saisha Salvi (Kaveri, a young girl), Bahrul Islam (government official in 1952), Ashish Sharma (Manjaya) and Alka Amin (Guruamma). Mahesh Manjrekar's cameo is okay, but his voiceover is impactful.
Akka music and other technical aspects:
There are no songs in AKKA. However, John Stewart Eduri's background score is exhilarating and has the feel of a Pan-India entertainer. Sunil Rodrigues' action is cinematic and also a bit gory. Laxman Keluskar's production design is well-researched. The cinematography is breathtaking. Sheetal Iqbal Sharma's costumes are glamorous. However, the outfits worn by Radhika Apte look slightly out of place, considering the setting and the period. Sanyukta Kaza and Saheeb Bagchi's editing is fast-paced.
Akka Review Conclusion:
On the whole, AKKA stands out for its novel concept, grand presentation, gripping action and impressive performances. However, the complicated narrative, too many characters, convenient plot developments and lack of emotional connect dilute its impact. An ambitious attempt that works only in parts.
Rating: 2.5 stars
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