Filmmaker Dharmaraj Shetty has taken audiences into the fictional town of Pernuru with his debut series Akka, presenting a world where women hold power, rule over territories, and lead a competitive gangster empire. Set in the 1980s, the Yash Raj Films series features Keerthy Suresh as Bhawani and Radhika Apte as Rudra at the center of the narrative. The concept for the show did not begin as a female-led story; Shetty initially set out to write a Mumbai-based gangster drama before pandemic lockdowns left him stranded in Mangaluru for a couple of years. Realizing that a traditional male-dominated South Indian gangster narrative felt repetitive, his reading about women warriors who fought European colonial powers shifted his creative direction.

That historical inquiry led him to research matrilineal and matriarchal communities along India's west coast, particularly in Kerala and Mangaluru, a region also known for its strong tradition of Devi worship. Although Pernuru is fictional, its social framework draws directly from these historical communities. The opening episode features references to actual historical practices, including rules explained by Tanvi Azmi's character that were inspired by a history book on Mangaluru, alongside the historical system of the Travancore kingdom. To broaden the scope, Shetty also examined global examples, including China's sole female emperor and various African tribes, to construct a unique societal structure.

Developing an action-driven narrative led by women required careful consideration regarding audience acceptance. Shetty noted that viewers are accustomed to accepting physical feats from male action characters, whereas female-led action sequences often face higher scrutiny. This dynamic prompted the production team to focus heavily on rigorous research, action choreography, and months of physical training for the cast, particularly Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte. Shetty expressed particular satisfaction with the positive reception from male viewers, who he initially wondered might hesitate to embrace a story centered on female dominance in the underworld, but who instead connected with the characters through the women in their own families.

Working with established performers like Keerthy and Radhika proved rewarding for a first-time series creator, with Shetty praising their trust, collaborative approach, and the comfortable environment fostered by the predominantly female cast and crew. He highlighted Keerthy's dedication to mastering a demanding role in a different language and period setting, noting how she routinely reviewed lines and prepared for upcoming shoots. Ultimately, the filmmaker hopes the combination of historical grounding, physical training, and compelling performances offers a refreshing alternative to familiar genre conventions.