Keerthy Suresh has been experimenting with different subjects and genres on the big screen, but her OTT outings have largely failed to create any impact. Almost every time she has chosen a direct-to-digital project, the result has been disappointing.
It started with Penguin, which failed to impress viewers. Saani Kaayidham, released in Telugu as Chinni, was a slightly better attempt. However, Uppu Kappurambu turned out to be an irritating watch. Her latest web series, Akka, has now added another disappointment to the list.
Akka had an interesting premise. Set in the 1980s, the gangster drama revolves around gender reversal and the conflict between tradition, power and revenge. It offered plenty of scope for an engaging series.
Unfortunately, the writing fails to make use of that potential. The drama feels routine, the characters lack depth and the storytelling becomes unnecessarily loud.
Keerthy Suresh performs slightly better than the material, bringing dignity to her royal character. But even her presence cannot save the series. The overall response has been so underwhelming that even hardcore Keerthy fans may find it difficult to recommend Akka.
Her strike rate in theatrical films is definitely better. Though her role was limited in Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy, her character was the soul of the movie, and her performance was haunting. However, her search for author-backed roles on OTT is failing to deliver the desired results.
For an actress with her talent and filmography, it is time to make better choices in the OTT space too. Experimentation is welcome, but choosing different subjects means little if the final content fails to engage viewers.
