Two women. One throne. Zero chance of a truce. Netflix has dropped the trailer of Akka, and it puts Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte in a face-off that looks every bit as tense as promised. The series, produced by YRF Entertainment and written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty, arrives on Netflix on October 30.

The story unfolds in the kingdom of Pernuru, a world run by powerful houses where women lead from the front. Loyalty has held the place together for generations. Then an outsider arrives to challenge the legacy that has ruled it for so long. Old wounds reopen. Rivalries deepen. The balance starts to crack.

At the centre are Bhavani, played by Keerthy, and Rudra, played by Radhika. Both are formidable. Both want very different things. And that clash of ambition and belief is what powers the series, which digs into power, loyalty, family and revenge. The ensemble also features Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar and Monica Panwar.

Keerthy says Bhavani is not a woman who backs down. “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.”

Radhika sees Rudra as someone who refuses to be boxed in. “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.”

Director Dharmaraj Shetty wanted to do something fresh with the gangster genre. “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.”

Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, added, “With Akka, audiences will enter the fictional world of Pernuru where women are not just part of the story, they are the power centre.”

Akka is the latest Netflix and YRF collaboration, following The Romantics, The Railway Men, Maharaj and Mandala Murders. As the line goes, “Gaddi pe baithne wale ko kehte hai ‘Akka!’” Who gets to sit on it will be revealed on October 30.

Also Read: Akka Official Trailer: Radhika Apte and Keerthy Suresh To Face Off In The New Gangster Saga

Tiger Shroff has been in the news lately, but for alarming reasons. Just a few days back, three thugs opened fire at his car. Fortunately, enough, he remained unscathed. But the same couldn’t be said about his driver and a fan who were caught in the crossfire. They are, however, recovering following the traumatic event.

As per the Mumbai Crime Branch, it was later revealed that the actor was not the attacker’s first choice. The three shooters were originally targeting a more prominent celebrity (whose name remains unknown). But due to tightened security, they targeted Tiger Shroff, believing he would be an easier target.

During a press event for his recent OTT release, Gajab Raat, Manoj Bajpayee was asked for his take on this recent firing incident involving Tiger Shroff. He spoke about how terrifying and alarming the entire situation is. He said, “I don’t see a gang war, but shots are being fired from who knows where, and that’s really scary. Secondly, it’s sad what happened to Tiger, but the best and happiest part is that he’s safe, and his driver is also recovering slowly.”

He also added to his statement, mentioning how the investigation should wrap up soon and the consequences of their actions should serve as a warning for anyone who even considers such a sin. He said, “Anyway, we aren’t law and order experts or anything. From what I’ve heard in the news, the investigation is ongoing.”

He continued, “The alleged suspects have been brought to Mumbai, and they’ve been arrested. I just hope the investigation wraps up as soon as possible and that an example is set so that next time, anyone will think twice before doing something like this.”

Following this incident, security has been further tightened around Salman Khan to ensure his safety.

Also Read: Tiger Shroff Was Not The Target, Shooters Reportedly Wanted to Target Another Actor

Production on Yellamma is progressing steadily as the team works towards its announced release date. Director Venu Yeldandi is developing the film as a large-scale venture. If the makers’ statements are anything to go by, it combines heartfelt drama with a story drawn from living cultural traditions.

The film will release worldwide on March 5, 2027. Audiences will be able to watch it in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada. Notably, the date was recently vacated by the Prabhas-starrer Spirit. Anticipation rests on three things: its fresh premise, its genre and Devi Sri Prasad’s acting debut.

The Rockstar Takes the Lead

Devi Sri Prasad needs little introduction to music lovers. Known as DSP, his concerts and live performances are famous for their raw energy. He storms the stage in his signature style, and crowds sing along to every word. The Rockstar tag suits him. Over the decades, he has moved between mass anthems, soft romantic numbers, folk beats and pop-driven dance tracks. Few composers in Indian cinema have covered so much ground. That range makes his acting debut particularly intriguing. Viewers already trust his music. Now, they want to see whether his stage charisma carries over to the screen.

Why Rooted Stories Are Winning

Telugu cinema is increasingly turning towards stories grounded in local culture. Audiences seem tired of formulaic narratives and crave authenticity. Kantara demonstrated this clearly. The Kannada film drew on Tulu folk rituals and became a national sensation. Its success proved that regional belief systems can travel far beyond their homeland. Closer to home, Balagam, directed by Venu Yeldandi himself, told a modest Telangana family story built around funeral customs. It won hearts without relying on star power or spectacle. Both films made one thing clear: specific, honest storytelling can connect with everyone. With its cultural roots, Yellamma arrives at an opportune moment.

Also Read: Devi Sri Prasad Sings Ravana Thandavam Song From Ramayana