Radhika Apte on playing Rudra in Netflix’s Akka: “Rudra was a character that I had never played before”
Radhika Apte is set to explore a different kind of character with Akka, Netflix’s upcoming series directed by Dharmaraj Shetty. The actress plays Rudra, an outsider who challenges the established order in Pernuru, a town governed by women for generations. Speaking about the role, Radhika highlighted the contrast between her character’s dramatic appearance and her more complex motivations.
“Rudra was a character that I had never played before,” said Radhika as she continued, “On the surface, she is very dramatic and stylish, but internally, there is a lot of complexity to her. That was something I found interesting.” Rudra’s ambitions bring her into conflict with the existing power structure, placing her on a collision course with Bhavani, played by Keerthy Suresh. While the series features a clash between the two characters, Radhika has described Rudra as someone who operates on her own terms rather than conforming to conventional expectations.
“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,” she added.
The actress also pointed to the motivations and personal stakes that shape the series’ central conflict. Rather than presenting the narrative as a straightforward struggle for power, Akka explores the differing loyalties and beliefs that influence the characters’ decisions. “What I enjoyed about Akka is that the conflict isn’t simply about who holds power; it’s also about the different beliefs, loyalties, and personal stakes that drive each character,” she shared.
Radhika’s portrayal of Rudra brings a contrasting presence to the story alongside Keerthy’s Bhavani. Their characters’ opposing approaches to power and authority form a central part of the series, with Rudra’s refusal to follow established conventions adding another dimension to the conflict.
Known for her work in projects such as Phobia, Andhadhun, Sacred Games and Lust Stories, Radhika has appeared in a range of film and streaming roles. With Akka, she takes on a character whose outward flamboyance is paired with ambition and an unpredictable approach to the world around her.
Written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty, Akka is produced by YRF Entertainment, with Aditya Chopra, Yogendra Mogre and Akshaye Widhani serving as executive producers. The ensemble cast also includes Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar and Monica Panwar, among others. The series is set to premiere on Netflix on October 30.
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